Five of a family killed, two others injured in lightning strike in Assam’s Karimganj district:

Guwahati, June 12: Five of a family including four minors killed and two others injured in a lightning strike in a village in Karimganj district of Assam on Friday evening.

The incident took place at Ishakhauri village under Ramkrishna Nagar police station of Ratabari assembly constituency in the Barak Valley district.

The deceased persons were identified as 50-year-old Islam Uddin, 12-year-old Anuwar Hussain, 12-year-old Sharif Uddin, 10-year-old Dilwar Hussain and 9-year-old Abidha Begum.

According to the reports, the family stuck by lightning as they were busy in some works at their home premise.

Five of the family died on the spot while two other minors sustained severe injuries.

The injured minors were rushed to Karimganj civil hospital.

Local MLA of Ratabari constituency Bijoy Malakar said that, five of a family killed after they stuck by lightning at home.

“Two others of the family were also injured. After hearing the news, I immediately contacted with the Deputy Commissioner of Karimganj district and informed him about the incident and also made medical arrangements for the injured persons,” Bijoy Malakar said.

On the other hand, some locals alleged that the injured minors are not getting proper treatment at the government-run hospital.

Amid COVID-19 pandemic situation, thousands of people gather in Assam Margherita to protect Coal India, Dehing Patkai:

Guwahati, June 12: Amid the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic situation, thousands of people on Friday gathered at Margherita in Assam, Tinsukia district and demanded to protect North Eastern Coalfields (NEC), Coal India and Dehing Patkai.

The North-Eastern Coalfields (NEC) – a Coal India Limited (CIL) subsidiary, has recently announced for temporarily suspending its all mining operations following the ongoing protests against the centre’s decision to allow coal mining in Dehing Patkai Elephant reserve.

In an order issued by the office of the General Manager, NEC said that – “All mining operations in North Eastern Coalfields, Coal India Limited, Margherita are hereby temporarily suspended w.e.f. 03.06.2020.”

Opposing the North Eastern Coalfields (NEC) decision, the employees of NEC and thousands of people in Assam on Friday staged protests in front of the NEC office in Margherita.

The protesters had shouted slogans against the NEC, Coal India and demanded to continue its operation.

The protesters also held a protest meeting at Margherita field and they also demanded the government to protect Dehing Patkai.

It is to be mentioned that, various industries in the region are severely hit following the suspension of operations in coalfields.

North-Eastern Coalfields (NEC) said in a press release that – “Coal mining operations in Tikak Open Cast Project, falling under Saleki Proposed Reserve Forest of Digboi, have been suspended since October 2019 on the directive of Department of Forest, Government of Assam and that it is awaiting the Stage II clearance from MoEF&CC. Currently, production is on hold in Tikak OCP.

“Coal mining in Tikak OCP predates Indian independence when it was mined by AR&T Company. Post nationalization of coal mines in 1973, the collieries operating in Assam were transferred to CIL for a lease period of 30 years till April 2003. At that time the concept of mandatory forestry clearance before coal mining was not in vogue. It came into effect after notification of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Forestry clearances for coal mining was made mandatory from then on but coal mining project already on the lease were beyond the purview of the Act till the completion of their lease as per Hon’ble Supreme Court’s judgement. North-Eastern Coalfields applied for forestry clearance in 2003 to the Government of Assam, as was the norm, and subsequently, another application was made in 2012. Following these, “In-Principle Approval (Stage-I)” clearance was granted in December 2019 by MoEF&CC with 28 conditions. One of the condition for Stage I forest clearances was obtaining clearance from NBWL. Final clearance, which is Stage II for this project is to be granted by MoEF&CC after fulfilment of certain conditions by the project proponent, North Eastern Coalfields, and only then extraction of coal can be done. Following a meeting in April 2020, the principal conditions were that a site-specific mine reclamation plan in consultation with Assam Forest Department has to be submitted by North Eastern Coalfields for whatever forest area has been broken up, of around 57 Hectares, out of the total 98.59 Hectares. The other condition being for the rest of unbroken area the user Agency, North Eastern Coalfields needs to submit feasibility report for exploring underground mining,” said in the release.

“North-Eastern Coalfields has not yet submitted the report for consideration of MoEF&CC. Green signal from NBWL and Forest Clearance for the project is yet to be received for starting coal mining activity in Tikak OCP. It is clarified that nearest distance of Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary from the project is 9.19 km and nearest Elephant Corridor, Golai-Powai is located at a distance of more than 10 km from the project,” said in the release.

Petroleum Ministry constitutes High-Level Committee to inquire Baghjan gas well fire, Assam government orders probe:

Guwahati, June 12: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has ordered a probe into the blowout and fire incident at Baghjan oil field in Assam, Tinsukia district.

The MoPNG on Thursday has constituted a three-member High-Level Committee to inquire the incident.

The High-Level Committee has been comprised by S.C.L Das, Director General, Directorate General of Hydrocarbons, B.C Bora, former Chairman ONGC and TK Sengupta, former Director ONGC and the Committee will identify the lapses in following laid down protocols and procedures which led to the incident, recommend short and long-term measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents including identifying any gaps in laid down standard operating procedures.

The committee has been asked to submit its report within one month.

Natural gas mixed with condensate started flowing uncontrollably from one of the wells of Oil India Ltd in Baghjan fields in Tinsukia district on May 27 leading to a blowout and the well-caught fire on June 9.

Two firefighters were killed and four others injured in the fire incident.

Over 7000 people living surrounding the areas of the oil field, were forced to leave their homes following the incident.

Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced an inquiry into the oil well blow out and subsequent fire incident in Baghjan, Tinsukia and entrusted Additional Chief Secretary Maninder Singh with the responsibility to conduct the inquiry and submit a report within 15 days.

On the other hand, the Chief Minister also directed Additional Principal Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) M. K. Yadava to conduct a study on the effects of the explosion incident on the environment and ecology of the surrounding areas.

Yadava was directed to cover effects of the incident on flora and fauna along with different species living in the water bodies of the area in his study.

Baghjan oil field fire: Assam government sanctions Rs 50 lakh for relief of displaced people, OIL will initially provide Rs 30,000 to each family

Guwahati, June 11: Assam government has sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for relief to the people who were displaced from their homes in the fire incident took place at a gas well of Baghjan oil field in Assam’s Tinsukia district.

The state Revenue and Disaster Management department has sanctioned the amount for immediate relief to the people of Baghjan area.

Around 7000 people have been evacuated from the surrounding areas and shifted them to 12 relief camps.

State Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management department Jogen Mohan said that the state government has initially sanctioned Rs 50 lakh to give relief to the people.

“We have directed the Deputy Commissioner and district administration of Tinsukia to take adequate measures for providing all facilities to the people. Today, my department has sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for the people of Baghjan. I am regularly contacting the Deputy Commissioners and took stock the situation,” Jogen Mohan said.

The Assam minister also said that the people who lost their properties in the fire incident will get compensation.

On the other hand, Oil India Limited will provide Rs 30,000 to each family of the people who were displaced from their homes and are living in the relief camps.

The decision was taken during a meeting held on Wednesday in presence of Assam Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary and OIL officials.

The amount will be deposited by Oil India to the bank account of the district administration and subsequently will be disbursed to the affected families and it is an initial and partial compensation as an immediate relief measure.

In the meeting, it was also decided that that the Deputy Commissioner of Tinsukia district will make an assessment of the loss of property following the mishap at the oil well and after the assessment, the amount of compensation will be paid by OIL and Assam government.

During the Minister’s discussion with DC and SP of Tinsukia, Oil India’s CMD assured the Assam minister that the fire at the well site will be doused within 21 days.

CMD also informed the Minister that the two firemen of OIL who lost their lives would be posthumously given a bravery award by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India and Oil India will give Rs 1 crore to Tikheswar Gohain’s family and Rs 60 lakh to the family of Durlov Gogoi based on their years of service at Oil India.

Both the families would receive a pension and other financial benefits and one elected member from each family would be given a job in Oil India.

On the other hand, the two firefighters who lost their lives while battling the massive blaze were cremated with state honours on Wednesday night at their respective native villages.