Despite the shocking 500 crore demand to ONGC, The organization to all set to keep up its mission in Assam. News of the ULFA serving extortion demand triggered speculation over the fate ONGC continuing in Assam.

ONGC’s regional Assam Asset HQ at Nazira received the demand letter by post in January. The letter is signed by commander of 28 battalion of ULFA Mrinal Hazarika. The special branch of the State police force confirmed after technical examination that the demand letter has actually been served by ULFA. The extortion note has not set any deadline but after expiry of a fortnight of receiving the letter, Nazira office of ONGC also got a call from ULFA asking what the company has decided regarding a the payment. Parish Berea himself also called up newspaper houses in Guwahati to convey that ONGC must meet his outfit’s demand for cash. He also threatened action against other public and private sector undertakings such as Coal India Ltd. if they do not pay to ULFA.

ONGC has reacted with shock at this demand. “We are shocked because we have been operating in Assam for decades, serving the nation as well as the local people,” said Subir Raha, CMD of ONGC. “Out operations are going on normally as of now and our personnel are engaged in work as per schedule. We will continue our mission. Providing security is the concern of the government and we have informed authorities both in Assam and New Delhi regarding this,” added Mr. Raha. Senior officials in the State police department confirmed that security has been beefed up around ONGC’s Assam Asset headquarters at Nazira as well as its other installations in Assam and in the North-East. “The safety of personnel and equipment will be accorded highest priority,” said an official of the police department. ONGC has recently announced investment plan for the State. ONGC’s Assam Renewal Plan for the State is to the tune of RS 3304 crore.

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