Local organisations of Duliajan on Tuesday staged a demonstration in front of OIL's registered office and field headquarter, Duliajan against the Centre's decision to auction oil fields to private and foreign companies. Over the last week or so, the town has been roiled by protests by the oil company's employees that have threatened to turn violent on at least one occasion.

The workers, backed by Assamese nationalist groups, accuse the Central government of attempting to "privatise" two of Oil India Limited's high-yielding oil fields.

The protesters raised various slogans against OIL's management. Many protesters shaved off their hair on the spot to protest against the move. Activists of Yuva-Chatro Parishad, Matak Yuva-Chatra Sanmilon, Chatro Mukti Sangram Samittee, Koch Rajbonshi Yuva-Chatra Sanmiloni, Scheduled caste students union and allies took part in the demonstration.