The Crossbill News Desk
Amidst severe criticism of the Assam government's flood management in Guwahati, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday (August 9) targeted a private university in neighboring Meghalaya, accusing the university of engaging in a "flood jihad" by demolishing hills on its campus to construct new buildings. Sarma claims this activity has contributed to the large-scale waterlogging in Guwahati, news agency PTI reported.
Pointing the finger at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), founded by Bengali-Muslim Mahbubul Hoque, who is also its chancellor, Sarma, said, "I feel that the USTM owner has started a flood jihad. No nature-loving people cut forests and hills ruthlessly in this way. Nowadays, buildings can be constructed on the hills with proper architectural design."
"The USTM is located in Meghalaya, but 90 per cent of its students and teachers are from Assam. If our students and teachers stop going there, it will automatically stop destroying the hills," Sarma added, while speaking to the press.
He mentioned that a letter has been sent to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma regarding the issue.
According to the news agency, when reporters asked if USTM is solely responsible for the flooding in Guwahati, Sarma replied, "It is one of the reasons, not the main reason. Our people are also responsible for constructions on drains. If there is rain in Guwahati, we are responsible and we can handle that. If there is no rain in Guwahati, then USTM is responsible for flooding in Guwahati."
USTM is situated in the 9th Mile area of Ri-Bhoi district in Meghalaya, on the outskirts of Guwahati.
Following heavy rains in Guwahati since Monday, several areas near USTM, such as Jorabat—an entry point to the city on the eastern side—experienced significant flooding. The accumulated water reached waist level in some streets.
Pointing the finger at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), founded by Bengali-Muslim Mahbubul Hoque, who is also its chancellor, Sarma, said, "I feel that the USTM owner has started a flood jihad. No nature-loving people cut forests and hills ruthlessly in this way. Nowadays, buildings can be constructed on the hills with proper architectural design."
"The USTM is located in Meghalaya, but 90 per cent of its students and teachers are from Assam. If our students and teachers stop going there, it will automatically stop destroying the hills," Sarma added, while speaking to the press.
He mentioned that a letter has been sent to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma regarding the issue.
According to the news agency, when reporters asked if USTM is solely responsible for the flooding in Guwahati, Sarma replied, "It is one of the reasons, not the main reason. Our people are also responsible for constructions on drains. If there is rain in Guwahati, we are responsible and we can handle that. If there is no rain in Guwahati, then USTM is responsible for flooding in Guwahati."
USTM is situated in the 9th Mile area of Ri-Bhoi district in Meghalaya, on the outskirts of Guwahati.
Following heavy rains in Guwahati since Monday, several areas near USTM, such as Jorabat—an entry point to the city on the eastern side—experienced significant flooding. The accumulated water reached waist level in some streets.
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