Assam: ULFA (I) threatens action against OIL if ‘outsider’ named CMD

The banned Alpha (Independent) group on Thursday warned Oil India Limited (OIL) that action would be taken if a local person was not nominated as the next CMD of Masharatna PSU.

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) on Wednesday recommended the name of Ranjit Rath, who is currently the CMD of Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited, chairman and managing director of OIL under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

In an emailed statement to the media, ULFA (I) chief Paresh Barua said the group had demanded the appointment of qualified locals for the posts of CMDs in oil companies operating from Assam.

This was one of the seven points that the ULFA (I) issued to public sector companies in the oil sector in the northeastern state last May.

The separatist group called on student and youth organizations, as well as the people of the state, to oppose the selection of Rath as the next OIL CMD.

Barua claimed that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said that the seven points put forward by the group could be met and assured the ULFA (I) to take steps to resolve the issues.

He claimed that naming Dr Ranjit Rath for the post of CMD was against the assurance of the Chief Minister and against the interests of the state.

Barwa asked the OIL to immediately reverse the decision taken by the PESB and name a deserving local person for the post of CMD.

If the PSU fails to comply, the ULFA (I) is prepared to take any “necessary action”, Barua added without elaborating.

A senior Assam police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was aware of the ULFA (I) statement and was monitoring progress.

The ULFA (I) declared a unilateral ceasefire in May last year, responding to a call for peace immediately after Sarma took over as chief minister.

The group has been pushing for a ceasefire since then, and has avoided calling for a ceasefire on Independence Day and Republic Day.