Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday accused the University of Science and Technology, a private university in neighbouring Meghalaya of engaging in a "flood jihad". Biswa claimed that the university demolished hills on its campus to build new structures, which led to large-scale waterlogging in Guwahati.
This comes as torrential rain lashed the Assam capital on Monday, which caused massive flooding that affected thousands of people, forcing them to stay indoors.
Pointing fingers at the USTM, Sarma said that the demolition of all the hills on the private university's campus to start a new medical college is "one of the reasons" for waterlogging in Guwahati, news agency PTI reported.
USTM, founded by Mahbubul Hoque, could not be reached for comments.
Addressing a press conference here, Sarma claimed: "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."
USTM is located in Ri-Bhoi district's 9th Mile area in Meghalaya, which is on the outskirts of Guwahati.
Since Monday, several places near USTM, such as Jorabat, which is the entry point of the city on the east, witnessed heavy rain that caused accumulation of water and flooded streets, reaching waist level.
Although USTM is located in Meghalaya, 90 per cent of its teachers and students are from Assam.
"If our students and teachers stop going there, it will automatically stop destroying the hills," Sarma said.
The Assam CM also stated that a letter was sent to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in connection with the issue. Both the CMs are scheduled to meet Friday night to discuss the matter.
Responding to whether the USTM is solely responsible for Guwahati floods, Sarma, said, "It is one of the reasons, not the main reason. Our people are also responsible for constructions on drains."
He further said the government can flush out water from the Assam capital in three- four hours in case of normal course of waterlogging. But that will not be possible if USTM adds to the problem, he added.
"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," the CM claimed.
Sarma defended his government against the flak over flood management in Guwahati, saying that his cabinet has been claiming that water from Meghalaya is the reason behind the city's inundation, PTI reported.
As the city remained partly submerged, people returning from office, school children, and even ambulances were reportedly stuck due to inundated roads. In view of the flooding in Guwahati, the educational institutions remained closed on Tuesday.
The Gauhati High Court on Wednesday had said that it was high time that the problem of waterlogging in Guwahati be dealt with. It directed the government to take required steps to resolve the problem permanently and also asked it to submit a plan to mitigate the crisis by August 19.