Protest over Sukleswar Neog's death retards OIL's fire-fighting measures

A CORRESPONDENT

DOOMDOOMA: The irate villagers of Baghjan resorted to vehement protest and road blockades on the death of Sukleswar Neog (45) at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh on Saturday afternoon. As per reports, Neog consumed pesticides yesterday morning out of frustration for non-inclusion of his name in the Oil India Limited (OIL)'s compensation list of Rs 20 lakh to each of the eleven families whose dwelling houses were consigned to flames in the massive fire that broke out in the blowout well on June 9. He was immediately taken to a private nursing home at Rupaisiding first where from he was rushed to AMCH, Dibrugarh where he breathed his last in the afternoon. According to the fellow villagers, Neog who is survived by his wife and five daughters gave up his life in frustration at non-offering of adequate compensation to the victims of blowout disaster by OIL even after expiry of patient waiting of 53 days at relief camp. His home-stead which is just about a kilometre away from the BGR-5 OIL's well at Baghjan was badly damaged by the condensate that was gushing out along with spewing of the gas from the blowout well. Braving inclement weather, the restive villagers blocked the road leading to BGR-5 OIL's well at three different places. As a consequence, all the work of the OIL came to a grinding halt. The villagers were stubborn as they sat on the road inspite of drizzling and refused to give in to the entreaties of the administration and police.

As per OIL's press release, a barricade was erected by local villagers blocking the road from well site since afternoon on Saturday. More than 200 personnel from OIL, ONGC, Alert, Schlumberger and other contractors working at site including OIL Directors were not allowed to go out of the site after completing the day's work yesterday. After prolonged efforts by OIL Management and District Authority, the barricade was removed as late as at 02.30 am of Sunday.

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