An active and notorious oil theft racket operating in Upper Assam has once again come under the scanner after a fire broke out at an abandoned ONGC oil well in the Nazira area, with authorities suspecting a crude oil theft angle behind the incident.
According to sources, miscreants have been targeting abandoned oil wells left behind by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), particularly in remote tea garden areas, to illegally siphon crude oil. Taking advantage of the absence of security personnel at several such oil fields, these groups have reportedly intensified their activities in recent months.
On Thursday afternoon, miscreants allegedly set fire to an old ONGC oil well located at Bamunpukhuri Tea Estate under the Nazira Co-District. The lack of adequate security at the site is believed to have facilitated the incident, raising serious concerns over the safety of abandoned oil infrastructure in the region.
The area narrowly averted a major disaster reminiscent of the Baghjan blowout, as densely populated residential zones, including large housing colonies of tea garden workers, are situated close to the affected site.
Following the incident, teams from the Nazira Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the spot and, after sustained efforts, successfully brought the fire under control in Sectors 15 and 16. No casualties or injuries were reported.
While it remains unclear whether the fire was deliberately caused as part of an oil theft attempt or due to some other motive, officials said the exact cause would be ascertained only after a detailed police investigation.
Local residents have alleged that illegal crude oil siphoning from abandoned and concealed ONGC oil wells—especially those located within tea garden areas—has been going on for quite some time, posing a serious threat to public safety and the environment.
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Noted historian and leading citizen in Nazira Akhil Paniphukan passed away on Friday. The end of the 90 year old Paniphukan came in the wee hours at his own residence in Nazira town. He is survived by three sons and three daughters.MLA Debobrata Saikia, former minister Dr. Hemoprabha Saikia, left leader Durpod Borgohain, Nazira Press Club, Freelance Journalist Association of Nazira along with many local organizations condoled his death and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
Nazira MLA Debobrata Saikia has blamed it all on the Centre for the deplorable road condition in the constituency.Talking to Assam Times, Saikia said the Hindu nationalist party-led NDA government curtailed the funds to the state which is why, the state government is not in a position to repair the roads and bridges.
Along with the rest of the state Nazira observed the 89th birth anniversary of Dr.Bhupen Hazarika with day long songs and dances on Tuesday. The focus of attraction was the Nazira Natiya Mandir where the day long programme pulled huge crowd.
Good news for kidney patients from from Sivasagar, Jorhat, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts. Courtesy the Assam government. Medicines are available at the Assam Medicine College Hospital for the patients.Any patient from these districts are free to collect their medicines from AMCH from 11 morning to 1-30 in the afternoon on every Tuesday. The patients can contact the All Assam Kidney Transplant Forum for identity card required to avail of the benefit.The forum will discuss the difficulties faced by the kidney patients at 11 in the morning on September 15 in front of the medicine stores.
The Nazira unit of All India Krishok Sobha observed its foundation day with a day long programme at Natiya Mandir on Tuesday.The organization took out a long procession in the town to mark the occasion to be marked by a public meeting the at Nazira Natiya Mandir where Left veterans Durpod Borgohain Kanok Gogoi were also present along with other dignatories. The meeting demanded immediate withdrawal of the move to amend the Land Acquisition Bill 2013 along with measures to prevent erosion in Assam, pension for agricultural labours, solve the unemployed problem and stop privatization move.
Patsaku High School is gearing up to host the 23rd Sivasagar District Congress of the National Childrens Science Congress 2015 from September 13. A reception committee has been formed to make the event a success.
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