Protest against 'apathy' of ONGCL authority

GAURISAGAR, Nov 18: The people of Radhika gar in Bhatiapar on the outskirts of Gaurisagar, students, AJYCP, Rudrasagar Regiol Committee  and Koibatra Yuva Chatra Santha  on Saturday  blocked  AT Road at Rudrasagar to  protest against utter  negligence of ONGCL, Assam Asset  in fulfilling public demand.  Seven months ago, a pipeline under ONGC, Assam Asset  carrying crude oil from No.2 GGS  to Mathiachiga suddenly  cracked and spread oil in the entire Rupahibeel  Pather. In the accident, more than 50 families were badly affected. They lost their livestock and other valuable properties. They also suffered from various diseases.

 ONGC, Assam Asset had given assurance to the victims to provide acute compensation to clear their paddy land polluted by crude oil. Besides, many times negotiations were held among the victim families in presence of Sivasagar district administration. Local people alleged that even after seven months, the ONGC authority had not fulfilled its assurances.  Following anguish, the affected facilities and students and in association with other organizations stage a one-hour AT Road  blockade by shouting various slogans. Later, in presence of Executive Magistrate Bedit Das and police officials of Joysagar police outpost, they called off the road blockade after written assurance was given that within 15 days compensation would be given.

 Following public demand, ONGC, Assam Asset released at total of Rs. 43 lakh for cleanliness of Rupahibeel Pather which was polluted by ONGC crude oil. However, contractors allegedly misused the money and hardly did any work.

 On the other hand, on Friday some branches of Ipomoea in  Rupahibeel Pather caught fire and there were flames. Local people immediately   informed the local police station. Sivasagar fire tenders and police personnel of Joysagar Police outpost extinguished the fire. It was a close shave for 50 families.