Aasu stir over oilfield auction

Dibrugarh: With the Centre maintaining a rigid stand on the issue of marginal oilfield auction in the state despite protests by various organizations, the influential All Assam Students' Union (Aasu) on Monday staged a demonstration in front of the Oil India Limited (OIL) operational headquarters in Duliajan on Monday.
The protest led to the suspension of OIL operations in the twin districts of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.
Led by Aasu chief adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya, thousands of activists took part in the rally and raised slogans against Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan and chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Coming down heavily on the Centre, Bhattacharya said any move to auction the state's oilfields will be opposed by the students' organization. Bhattacharya was also critical of Sonowal and accused him of ignoring the sentiments of people.
Aasu general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi warned of strong protests across the state in the coming days.
AGP, now a BJP ally, has also opposed the move. On June 28, the Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad called a 12-hour Assam bandh in protest against the decision.
In neighbouring Sivasagar, a similar protest was organised by Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parsihad (AJYCP). In Nazira, AJYCP members staged a demonstration.