GUWAHATI, June 9 - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonwaol today called Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urging the latter to deploy Indian Air Force for controlling the fire in the Baghjan oilfield.
Sonowal also telephoned Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to inform him about the explosion at the Baghjan oilfield and the resultant fire engulfing the area.
He urged Pradhan to take urgent steps for extinguishing the fire at the earliest while also directing the Tinsukia district administration and police to take necessary measures for safeguarding the interest of the local people of the affected area.
Sonowal informed through a statement that necessary steps have been taken by the State government to ensure safety of local people in the Baghjan area and instructions have been sent to civil and police administration about the same.
He said the Chief Secretary and DGP have been directed to take active steps to control the situation while keeping the armed and paramilitary forces, fire brigade, NDRF and SDRF engaged to ensure safety of the people in and around the affected area.
Sonowal also called upon the people in the affected area not to panic as both the Central and State governments have been taking measures to ensure their safety.
The Chief Minister has, meanwhile, directed Industry and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary to immediately visit Baghjan and take stock of the situation there.
