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.
Journalists in Nazira observed the 49th National Press Day at the Press Club on Thursday with a day long programme. Reporter Inamul Mujid Khan memorial chorus competition and Prafulla Dutta and Krishna Khatonier memorial cultural programme took place on the occasion. Veteran CPI leader Drupad Borgohain , District Public Relation Officer of Sivasagar Sarodi Gogoi attended an open meeting on the occasion.
Congress leader and Nazira MLA Debobrata Saikia has demanded a special assembly session to discuss the vexed Nagalim issue. Talking to Assam Times, the CLP leader said a section of the people from Nagaland has been trying to grab plots on the territory of Assam in the name of the greater Nagalim. He said the government’s position on this sensitive issue and the framework is not yet clear.
Veteran Congress leader in Nazira Tonkeshwar Saikia breath his last at his own residence of Nazira Simaluguri on Thursday. He was 81 and survived by his wife, two sons and one daughter. Saikia, the elder brother of former Assam chief minister Hiteswar Saikia died of prolonged illness. Many political leaders, organizations and individuals have deeply condoled his death. Veteran Left leader and former MLA Drupad Gohain condoled the death of the octogenerian social workers.
71th Independence Day was observed with traditional gaity and flavour in different places of Nazira Sub division. The main event was held at Nazira playground, where civil administration organised the Independence Day with a day long programme. SDO(C) Dr. Sadnek Singh hoisted the National Flag after swahid tarpan at Nazira Gandhi Maidan. A friendly football match was also held between Civil Administration 11 and Media 11, where civil administration 11 won by 5-0 goals.
Hundreds of people hit the streets in Nazira alleging anti people policies of the BJP led government at the state and Centre. Led by Congress MLA Debobrata Saikia, the protestors thronged in front of the SDO (Civil) office in the town and shouted slogans against the central and state government.
“History is the back-bone of a nation and no nation can thrive without its history,” said Mayur Bora, a well-known writer in a seminar organized by Nazira Press Club on its 26th Foundation Day on Saturday at Nazira. The seminar on “Study of History and the identity crisis of the ethnic people of Assam” was organized in the memory of journalist Pabonath Sarmah and Nilo Guhain with a day-long programme that saw distinguished gathering. Mayur Borah and Rajdip Bailung Baruahwere the chief guests. Both the speakers dwelt at length on the negative effects of globalization and free market economy that has been depriving the ethnic people of their rights on their own land. Hiranya Kumar Bhattachaya...
On the occasion of 48th death anniversary of Kalaguru Brishnu Prashad Rabha on Tuesday, Rava Divas was observed in different places of Nazira region. Statues of three icones of the Assamese society unveiled - KalaguruBrishnu Prashad Rabha, Rup Konwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Sudhakantha Bhupen Hazarika - were built in the bank of the Dikhow river. In this connection and remembering the Rabha Divas a public meeting were held on last 20th June, where MLA of Nazira Debobrate Saikia, ex Minister Hemoprova Saikia, senior journalist Vashkar Borgohain etc were present a long with other signatories.
Freedom fighter, trade union leader and social worker of Nazira Benu Bhuyan breath his last at his own residence on last March 20. He was 85 and survived by his wife and son. Nazira MLA Debobrate Saikia, former minister Minister Hemoprova Saikia. former MP Durpod Borgohain and several organisations of Nazira condoled in the death of Benu Bhuyan.
A slew of stringent measures has been failing to prevent the illegal opium trading from proliferating in some pockets of upper Assam. A section of people is still running this trade with a strong network forcing the authorities to step in. In a sudden drive, the Nazira administration claimed to have busted a opium trading network fetching a huge relief for the people. Acting on a tip off, Nazira SDO (CIVIL) Dr Sadnek Singh accompanied by SDPO Vengkatesh Dhotre conducted a raid in the Ward No 6 recently where two youths were held as they were consuming opium and during interrogation they revealed the network while the supplier managed to escape from the spot. It may be recalled that the...
On the occasion of the 68th Republic Day all citizens pf our country salute our National Flag and hoisted the Tricolour everywhere as a mark of Honour to it. But it is regret to say that due to the negligence of the teachers of the 310 No Molagaon government L.P. School of Nazira the Tricolour was lying down in the ground and latter Nazira administration recovered it with the police of Nazira police station.Investigation is going on in this regard but no case is registered for it in Nazira police station till today.
Add new comment