The devastating Dikhow River floods that ravaged Nazira and surrounding areas last month have renewed scrutiny over years of warnings about alleged illegal riverbed mining and the implementation of environmental safeguards. On December 23, 2018, Saikia raised the matter in the Assam Legislative Assembly, alleging widespread illegal stone mining and the operation of organised syndicates along the Dikhow River. Environmental concerns surrounding the Dikhow River have continued to be debated. Many residents in the flood-hit areas also believe that illegal stone mining in the Dikhow and coal mining activities in neighbouring Nagaland contributed to the severity of the July 19 floods. As recovery continues, affected communities are demanding greater accountability, stricter enforcement against illegal mining, and stronger protection of river ecosystems to reduce the risk of future disasters.