Several Injured Amid Clash With Police In Baghjan Protest

In a protest where locals of Baghjan were allegedly preventing OIL authorities from clearing materials from a Baghjan oil well site, several people including policemen has been injured on Saturday.

The situation heated up today when the police tried to disperse the protestors while they were protesting against the OIL authorities.

The OIL has been trying to clear materials from the oil well site which was the spot of a major fire last year, in Assam's Tinsukia district.

The Oil India Limited (OIL) had been trying to move out the materials at its now-closed Baghjan oil well but a section of local people has been reportedly resisting it, said police.

The locals said that they will allow the site to be cleared only after their entire compensation amount from the PSU is paid.

Circle officer of Doom Dooma, R Bharadwaj said, "Protestors from Baghjan revenue village were requested to lift the blockade, but they started pelting stones and injured six policemen besides breaking glass panes of a fire tender belonging to OIL."

 "Left with no choice, security forces had to use tear gas, wield batons and fire rubber bullets to disperse the protestors. One protester got a rubber bullet injury and was shifted to a government hospital immediately," Bharadwaj added.

Bhardwaj said, "OIL managed to remove 60 per cent of their stuck vehicles, trailers, big size JCB type vehicles, pump houses, pipes used for boring and other high-end machinery. The remaining stuff will be evacuated tomorrow under security cover."

"We have detained three persons for damage to public property and action will be taken as per law," he further added.

Meanwhile, locals have alleged high handedness of district administration and security forces.

"Locals were peacefully protesting and demanding final compensation before the OIL took their equipment. The affected families feared that OIL would abandon them just like the well, once they were allowed to move out their equipment, and affected families will be left to run from door to door to get their final compensation," sources said.

Also Read: Compensation To Victims Sorted Out Substantially: NGT On Baghjan Fire Case