India is in desperate need of finding new oil sources both in home and abroad. So, Indian government is keen to explore oil in every corner of India- even in remote places. Oil India Limited is going to carry out explorations in the north eastern state of Assam soon. However, local people are very unhappy about this matter. They fear that they might lose their livelihood as a result of this exploration.
So, many people are demonstrating in some parts of Assam and the protest is turning into violence. Reuters reported:
A plan by state-run Oil India Limited to carry out exploration below India's mighty Brahmaputra river has sparked protests from local people in the remote northeast who fear loss of livelihoods.
Police have fired tear gas shells and caned hundreds of protesters, mostly villagers and fishermen, in various parts of Assam state to quell the demonstrations in the past 10 days. Dozens of people have been injured, witnesses said.
The company announced earlier this year it would carry out a survey for oil deposits below the Brahmaputra running through Assam, a state rich in oil reserves.
But local people said the seismic surveys which would form part of the exploration would hurt marine life and speed up soil erosion. If oil is found, drilling could have even more adverse consequences, they say.
The main problem is that Indian government officials do not bother about ensuring good compensation packages for the people who suffer in this kind of condition. That is why people in Assam are demonstrating against oil exploration. I wish that Indian government changes its way so that the common people can feel calm about any kind of exploration. India simply cannot afford to waste time in terms of exploration of oil and gas. At the same time, Indian government should not antagonize the local people of Assam.
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