The Konyak Union has strongly refuted claims that the recent floods in parts of Assam were caused by the release of water from a hydroelectric dam in Nagaland’s Mon district or by alleged illegal coal mining activities in the Naginimora area. The Union described these claims as ‘baseless’ and unsupported by facts. The Union was responding to a video circulating on social media and reports carried by a section of the media, which attributed the flooding to the release of water from the so-called ‘Dikhu Hydro Electric Project’ and to illegal coal mining in Mon district.
Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi and Assamese Youth Forum general secretary Akash Saikia were among those who allegedly made these claims. According to the Konyak Union, no hydroelectric dam or reservoir exists in Mon district. The Dikhu Hydro Electric Project remains only a proposed project listed by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and has neither been constructed nor commissioned.
The Union stated that the allegation that floodwaters were released from a dam from Dikhu is entirely baseless, misleading, and without any factual foundation. The Union also refuted allegations linking the floods to illegal coal mining in the Naginimora area, stating that its field assessment and available information found no evidence to support such claims. Instead, the flooding originated in the higher hill ranges of Mon district following exceptionally heavy rainfall and cloudburst-like downpours on July 19 and 20, which triggered widespread landslides, flash floods, and overflowing rivers and streams across several parts of the district.
This disaster claimed 11 lives, displaced more than 650 families, and caused extensive damage to homes, schools, shops, agricultural fields, tea gardens, businesses, and livestock. The heavy rainfall and cloudburst-like events also severely disrupted road connectivity, electricity, and communication networks. The Konyak Union urged public representatives and organisations to verify facts before making statements that could create misunderstanding, panic, or strain the long-standing relationship between the people of Assam and Nagaland.
The Union appealed to individuals, organisations, the media, and the public to refrain from circulating unverified information and warned that those responsible for spreading misinformation could be held accountable under the law if such claims resulted in any untoward incidents. The Union maintained that natural disasters should not be politicised or used to promote speculative narratives without scientific evidence or official verification. It reaffirmed its commitment to peace and would continue to work towards preserving the long-standing ties between the people of Nagaland and Assam while ensuring that facts prevail over misinformation.
