HT Correspondent
SIVASAGAR, June 19: The All Tai Ahom Students’ Union (ATASU) staged a sit-in demonstration at Doulmukh Chariali in Sivasagar on Friday, alleging that recent policies of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) were detrimental to the interests of Assam and its people.
The protesters raised slogans against the public sector undertaking and demanded immediate steps to reverse what they described as anti-Assam policies.
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Among the key demands raised by the student body was a guarantee that ONGC offices functioning under the Assam Asset based in Nazira and Sivasagar would not be relocated outside the state.
The organisation also sought greater employment opportunities for indigenous Assamese youth and called for measures to ensure what it described as adequate representation of local people in the company’s workforce.
ATASU further urged ONGC to halt privatisation initiatives, improve access to clean drinking water in areas affected by its operations and strengthen environmental protection measures in oil-producing regions.
In a memorandum submitted during the protest, the organisation also demanded greater support for the preservation of traditional arts and culture and the development of sports infrastructure in Sivasagar district.
The student body additionally called upon the Nazira-based ONGC administration to maintain greater oversight of contract allocations and ensure transparency in the process.
The demonstration was led by ATASU president Basanta Gogoi, who also demanded the upgrading of infrastructure and services at the ONGC Hospital.
He criticised what he termed efforts to shift healthcare services away from the existing facility and called for strengthening medical services available to employees and local residents.
ATASU leaders stated that the concerns raised during the protest echoed resolutions adopted at a recent citizens’ meeting convened by the organisation at Sivasagar Yuvadal.
The meeting had expressed dissatisfaction over what participants described as inadequate benefits reaching local communities despite decades of oil exploration and production activities in the district.
The organisation urged ONGC and the concerned authorities to address the issues raised and take steps to safeguard the interests of the people of the region.
