The members of four different organizations named Youth Against Social Evils, Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Sara Bharat Krishak Sabha and Sara Assam Nirman Shramik Union along with the inhabitants of Manikpur GP under Borkhola constituency staged a protest demonstration in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner here today in support of their four point charter of demands. The organizations mainly concerned at unabated erosions by river Barak and in this instance related to the villages and their inhabitants of Manikpur and Rajnagar moujas in Cachar in a memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner called for protective and effective flood control measures. It has been pointed out that the continuing erosion by the river Barak has taken in its grip human settlements and nearly one thousand bighas of land including cropped during the last 50 years. Addressing the gathering, DYFI district president Ansanul Hoque said erosions, breach of embankments and dykes and the resultant flooding of areas covering villages after villages in Barak Valley are not a new phenomenon. But surprisingly, despite release of enough funds running into crores of rupees by the Centre, no effective protective measures are taken by the Water Resources Department. This callousness or indifference, in many cases deliberate to siphon off allotted money, leads to enormous losses of life and property. In the aftermath of floods, assessments and estimates tell of colossus tales of damages and devastations. Pointing to the woe of people of Manikpur area, he said repeated petitions by the people of the areas to the authorities concerned, nothing has been done to save or protect the families. Consequently, 70 families have become homeless with their dwelling places swallowed up by the surging waters of the river. Apart from that during 2010–11, embankments along with the PWD road linking Tinali, Rajnagar and Katigorah have also been badly affected. Under pressure from the people and their movement, the Government of Assam sanctioned Rs 1,39,4,000 for containing the erosions. The memorandum alleged that instead of utilizing the funds for the purpose, a section of the PWD and Water Resources Departments in collusion with contractors just did some bamboo piling and earth filling in the areas for public show. In the process, it has been further alleged that these unscrupulous elements and the contractors siphoned off almost the entire fund. Interestingly, the speakers pointed out in order to hide their mischiefs and misdeeds, PWD imposed restrictions on the movement of people and all sorts of vehicles through the vital road in question. People watched helplessly in deep anger and anguish and dared not oppose, fearing sustaining their wrath and even physical assault. It was due to the State government’s apathy and indifference that the entire stretch of public road and the embankments were washed away by the river. In the circumstances, it is being apprehended by the people of the areas that during the current monsoon and in the event of heavy downpours, the entire PWD road would go down in the river bed and the areas under Rajnagar gaon panchayat, Srikona gaon panchayat, Kumarpara, Niz Joynagar gaon panchayat, Salchapra, army cantonment as well as Agriculture Research Centre at Arunachal face the danger of being flooded. Considering the gravity of the situation, DYFI along with All Assam Nirman Sramik Union, All India Krisak Sabha and the inhabitants of the vast areas under threat demand protective measures along river Barak in Manikpur, before the monsoon sets in, rehabilitation packages for the affected families, immediate steps be initiated for repair and improvement of the eroded PWD road and linkage for communication and punishment to those involved in corrupt practices with public funds. A copy of the memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister of India, Union Water Resource Minister, Chief Minister of Assam and State Water Resource Department Minister. Other demands included immediate commencement of Rajnagar–Silchar minibus service, availability of adequate doctors, nurse and 30 beds at Rajnagar primary health centre and improvement of Rajnagar Veterinary Hospital. Among others spoke at the agitation programme included Sanjeev Roy, central committee president of Youth Against Social Evils, Comrade Pradip Choudhury, secretary of Sara Bharat Krishak Sabha, etc.