Shattering "Flood-Jihad" narratives, Cachar Police arrests Raju Deb in connection to Bethukandi embankment damage

The number of arrests related to Bethukandi embankment damage, which according to the administration, led to the devastating deluge in Silchar, rises to five. Till yesterday, the Police had arrested Kabul Khan, Mithu Hussain Laskar, Nazir Hussain Laskar and Ripon Khan. A few news channels headquartered in Delhi and Mumbai, went by the narrative of “Flood-Jihad” following the arrests.

Yesterday, Cachar Police arrested former BJP MLA’s nominee, Raju Deb for his alleged role in the damage of the embankment. As reported earlier by Barak Bulletin, there is no way for the flooded river water to recede from Mahisha Beel area where hundreds live in their legally built residences. As their long-standing demand for a sluice gate wasn’t fulfilled, the locals went ahead and cut a drain by removing a portion of land.

Water receded through the drain but when the river water level rose a month later, it resulted in an unprecedented flood. What also needs to be mentioned here is that this was not the only embankment through which the water was flooding into the city. Bagadohor embankment too had several breaches and river water flooded through Sonabarighat and Tarapur as well.

Cachar SP, Dr. Ramandeep Kaur confirmed Raju Deb’s arrest and said, “He’s arrested based on evidence at this stage of investigation.’ It is worth mentioning here that Deb has been spotted campaigning for the BJP on several occasions. He was also arrested last year in connection with the controversial blackening of a “Jal Jeevan Mission” poster in Silchar.

What role Raju Deb played in the entire chain of events, remains unknown. However, it shatters the “Flood-Jihad” narrative that a few news channels were trying to propagate through prime time debate. SP Cachar had back then issued a warning against propagation of such narratives as these can shake the peaceful foundation of Silchar.