Anti-socials allegedly calling shots at Digboi terminal of IOC

Our Correspondent

TINSUKIA June 8: The high security Digboi terminal of IOC (AOD) which is yet to be commissioned is under the grip of anti-socials with IOC authorities seeking intervention of local police to streamline law and order problem in the vicinity of the terminal area while mazdoor and labour unions have demanded deployment of central forces. The local police foresee no security threat perception to the terminal and adjoining areas even as an incident of assault has been registered at Digboi Police Station which police allegedly viewed in a casual manner.

Sequence of events that took place during past few months or so clearly reflect a grave situation which is being shadowed by some vested circles else there would not have been a point for DGM (Operation) IOC to express his concern on deteriorating security scenario and seeking intervention of the SP Tinsukia vide letter IO AOD SO/OPS/DMT/18-19/075 of 1.6.2018.

The terminal managers of both Tinsukia and Digboi expressed their total ignorance on the existence of illegal syndicates operating in the area and having them not complained of any harassment and illegal collection by any trucker carrying materials for the terminal, the Digboi Police Station officer-in-charge Mohesh Bora ostensibly found no wrong doing and told this correspondent that the case lodged against two persons has nothing to do with terminal matters even as the complainant Monoj Borbaruah, a contractual labour of Tinsukia terminal clearly stated in his FIR that when he reached Golai with materials provided by Tinsukia terminal, two persons-Chandan Konwar and Dharma Sonowal along with their few accomplices from Golai assaulted him and threaten to kill him if he visits next. Intriguingly, the duo was booked under non-bailable offence.

Superintendent of Tinsukia Police Mugdha Jyoti Dev Mahanta told this correspondent that the labour unions had demanded construction of bypass and basic amenities besides absorption of contractual workers of Tinsukia terminal at Digboi terminal and said the Digboi terminal area is free of any anti-social activities and no mafia raj exists. But contrary to his claim, the local people have alleged that there were frequent road blockade resorted by the locals of Golai to the extent that the local anti-socials reportedly constructed a temporary house from there they operate illegal activities. Though IOC intended to construct temporary barrier gate near NH 38 to Digboi terminal, the locals from Golai opposed such construction. Given that there had been no security breach as claimed by the SP, the union leaders opined that the police should initiate stringent legal action against the DGM(O) for misguiding the police.

Though construction of Digboi terminal at Golai was vehemently objected to by several environmentalists group for the area being an elephant corridor, the IOC authorities paid no heed to their protest then. An inner circle of Tinsukia terminal apprehends that if the situation in not nipped in the bud, it would pose serious threat to the terminal and its employees in future.