Baghjan families demand early release of compensation

TINSUKIA : Amid apprehension over delay in the payment of compensation among the families affected in the Baghjan oil well blowout incident, the Oil India Limited (OIL) has been facing constraints in carrying out its regular operations owing to the blockades of roads and oil installations by the protesters. On the other hand, the Tinsukia district administration is yet to complete its survey exercise as new claimants have been surfacing under both the Doomdooma and Tinsukia Revenue Circles.

On Saturday, hundreds of protesters — mostly women — squatted on the Natun Gaon-Koliapani Bridge, over the Maguri-Motapung Beel, leading to the Baghjan oil field. They demanded early settlement of compensation. This protest forced the district administration to intervene. According to sources, the administration assured to settle the issue before August 31.

These protesters from the Nutangaon-Koliapani-Gotong areas alleged that many families who received compensation earlier from OIL were not genuine ones. Meanwhile, skirmishes are erupting regularly among the groups. Some organisations are reportedly also exerting pressure on the administration to bring new areas including the peripheral tea gardens within the ambit of survey.

Though 2,756 families have been surveyed under the Doomdooma and Tinsukia Revenue Circles till date, an official source said that it would be a time-consuming exercise and would take several more months to complete the job. Besides, tempted with the easy money from OIL, many local leaders are allegedly provoking some families to claim compensation.

The areas affected under the Tinsukia Revenue Circle were mostly due to the tremors which the families have been experiencing since the blowout took place on May 27. Though there were damages due to condensate, the tremors actually damaged the rooftops and ceilings of several houses. The tremors are still continuing — sometimes in a vigorous form – and that has driven hundreds of families to take shelter in the relief camps at Guijan. Many of whom are still languishing there.

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