Guwahati, 23rd October: A day after the successful reclamation of control over well no. NHK-67 at Gazal Basti near Duliajan, a significant development has taken place in the case of the fatal gas leak that occurred on October 19. The police have apprehended three individuals, including a dumper owner, for their alleged involvement in causing the disastrous gas leak by vandalizing the Duliajan oil well.
The arrested individuals are believed to have vandalized the well by tampering with the X-mas trees, which are critical components placed near oil wells. This interference ultimately led to the spilling of hazardous substances.
The individuals taken into custody have been identified as Mithu Nayak, Sanjeev Munda, and Sanjit Munda. In addition to them, the dumper owner, identified as Saiful Ali, has also been arrested in connection with this incident.
The apprehension of the suspects was the result of a diligent search operation conducted by Bhaskar Saikia, the officer-in-charge of the Duliajan police station, on the night of October 22.
The initial act of vandalism, which transpired late in the evening on October 19, raised significant environmental and safety concerns. In response to the situation, Oil India Limited (OIL) promptly filed a First Information Report (FIR) with the local police and alerted the District Administration Authority. The uncontrolled flow of well fluids, primarily water, posed a severe risk, prompting OIL to activate its Crisis Management Team (CMT).
Working closely with local authorities, the CMT swiftly implemented emergency measures to mitigate the situation. Firefighting units were dispatched to the site to control the flow of water and avert further environmental repercussions. The well was successfully capped, and ongoing efforts are directed towards restoring normal operations.
The arrests mark a significant step in addressing the circumstances surrounding this incident, emphasizing the importance of environmental safety and responsible practices in the oil and gas industry.