Heavy rush outside petrol pumps in Assam

Heavy rush was witnessed outside petrol pumps in Assam with security intensified in and around these installations.

Heavy rush was witnessed outside petrol pumps in Assam with security intensified in and around these installations, as the indefinite nation-wide oil officers strike entered the third day on Friday.

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Police and para-military forces have been deployed outside petrol pumps as heavy rush leading to minor scuffle in front of some outlets were reported in Guwahati and other parts of both lower and upper Assam.

Official sources said in Sibsagar that petrol pumps have been directed to provide oil to the consumers in a rationed manner so that the supply can be stretched but more than 50 per cent of the petrol pumps have gone dry in the state.

Consumers, too, have been urged to maintain restrain and restrict use of fuel and use public transport where possible.

Meanwhile, ONGC's upper Assam operations remained suspended with crude flow from Nazira to Barauni in Bihar suspended, sources said.

ONGC's association for scientific technical officers (ASTO) secretary Manoj Bhagawati claimed that the strike has resulted in losses to the tune of Rs 3500 crore during the last two days and "this amount alone can pay the difference deemed as hike for the next five years".

Bhagawati, along with three other officers of the Assam assets, were placed under suspension for participating in the strike.