SIVASAGAR: The All Tai Ahom Students’ Union (ATASU) on Sunday suspended its proposed statewide shutdown of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) scheduled for August 25 following discussions with the public sector company.
ATASU president Basanta Gogoi said the decision was taken after a four-hour meeting with ONGC authorities in which several demands concerning Assam were discussed.
Gogoi said ONGC had agreed to consider providing employment opportunities to local candidates and assured the organisation that it would not shift any of its offices out of Assam.
The company also agreed to arrange training and support for students from Assam preparing for Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations, according to ATASU.
The discussions also covered concerns over the relocation of some ONGC financial operations to Delhi. The company reportedly clarified that the move was aimed at centralising financial processes and did not involve shifting its operations out of Assam.
ONGC also assured ATASU that the historic Pohu Garh site in Sivasagar would be developed, beautified and preserved.
ATASU had earlier announced protest programmes over employment, administrative decisions and the preservation of historical sites. Following the assurances, the organisation decided to put the August 25 shutdown on hold.
Gogoi said ATASU would continue to monitor the implementation of ONGC’s commitments and take further decisions based on developments.
