Assam CM Intensifies Attack on USTM For Guwahati Floods, Accuses University of Flood Jihad

The Chief Minister further announced that he would take the matter to the green tribunal to seek action against the alleged environmental violations by USTM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has intensified his criticism of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM), accusing the private University of contributing to Guwahati’s worsening flash flood situation through rampant hill cutting and reiterated his ‘Flood Jihad’ charge on the University.

The Chief Minister further announced that he would take the matter to the National Green Tribunal to seek action against the alleged environmental violations by USTM.

Speaking to media persons on Monday, Sarma said, “USTM is not a pride of Assam. It is a threat for us. We will even move the green tribunal against the alleged rampant hill cutting by the institute. The hill cutting by USTM will cause major problems for Guwahati.”

The Assam CM further said that the hill has been cut in such a way that all the water flowed down to Assam.

“Why are the hills not cut towards Meghalaya? Why all the hills are cut towards Guwahati only? I urge everyone to go and see on a rainy day, if the water comes from USTM or not”, he added

CM Sarma also reiterated his flood jihad charge on the owners of USTM. He also termed USTM as a threat to education in Assam. Further CM Sarma also questioned the secular credentials of the university.

“Jihad is a lesser term for what is being done by USTM. It should be termed as ‘Father of flood jihad’. It is a big threat to our education system. Whoever tries to destroy our culture and tradition can be termed as Jihad. If there was a ‘Borduwa Namghar’ gate or a church there, we would have felt nice. Why there is only one religion? Is it not jihad?”

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma also lashed out at the Congress for coming out in defence of USTM. Sarma said that what he is saying today was stated by the late Tarun Gogoi, former Chief Minister of Assam long ago. However, the Congress, he said was busy with his appeasement policy for a certain community.

Assam CM Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma says, “When I spoke about Meghalaya University of Science and Technology (USTM), everyone criticised me. But earlier Tarun Gogoi had said that Jorabat is the main reason for floods in Guwahati. Now Congress and Tarun Gogoi’s son abused me as to why I take the name of USTM. I repeated what Tarun Gogoi had said earlier… Why did the hills were cut towards Guwahati and not towards Meghalaya… Is this not flood jihad? There is a big conspiracy going on to destroy education in Assam.”

Earlier on August 7, Guwahati witnessed severe waterlogging in several areas owing to severe rainfall. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, blamed Meghalaya’s USTM University for the floods in Guwahati, saying that the institute built its campus in the part of Meghalaya that comes down to Khanapara by cutting down an entire hill.

“Earlier, water used to flow to Guwahati slowly. However, the rampant destruction of hills has resulted in flooding.”, he said.

He said that the construction should have been protested by the previous governments. “I shall speak to the Meghalaya CM, but the damage has already been done,” Sarma added.

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