Job Scam Unearthed in Sivasagar; ONGC Union Leaders Under Scrutiny

A major job scam has come to light in the aftermath of the recent gas leakage incident at the ONGC oilfield at Bhatiapar in Assam's Sivasagar district. What started as an industrial safety concern has now unravelled a chain of alarming revelations involving union leaders, private oil extraction companies, and widespread exploitation of unemployed youths in Assam.

According to sources and evidence, two prominent unions operating within ONGC, the All Assam Oil Field Workers Union and the Purbanchal Employees' Association, have allegedly been running a massive employment racket in collusion with private oil drilling contractors. These unions, reportedly under the guise of facilitating job placements in private oil companies, are accused of extorting large sums of money from job-seeking youths. 

Fear tactics, threats, and strategic manipulation were allegedly used to coerce unemployed individuals into paying hefty amounts in exchange for promises of employment. The top leadership of the All Assam Oil Field Workers Union, President Arifuddin Ahmed and Working President Krishna Kamal Kalita, are at the centre of these allegations. 

The scandal deepens with serious accusations against another person named Sanjeev Baruah, the Secretary of the Purbanchal Employees' Association. He is alleged to have held on to his union post for an unusually long duration, using it to systematically siphon off large sums from desperate job aspirants under the pretext of securing employment with private firms linked to ONGC operations.

Eyewitness accounts from the recent gas leak incident also paint a disturbing picture. Rather than performing his duties, Sanjeev Baruah was reportedly seen aligning closely with ONGC’s top officials, allegedly taking on a public relations role on behalf of the corporation while ignoring the concerns of affected locals and workers.

The exploitation has drawn sharp criticism from local organisations. Members of Ahom Sena and other citizen groups in Sivasagar have demanded strict legal action against the three alleged culprits.

A member of the Ahom Sena said, “We are deeply shocked by the serious discrepancies and unethical activities carried out by the All Assam Oil Field Workers Union and the Purbanchal Employees' Association. On June 27, we, the Ahom Sena, lodged an FIR at the Sivasagar Sadar Police Station against Arifuddin Ahmed, Krishna Kamal Kalita, and Sanjeev Baruah. The FIR was filed after we received multiple complaints alleging that these individuals had extorted large sums of money from unemployed youths by promising jobs in private oil companies. We have spoken to the police, and they have informed us that preliminary investigations are already underway. Our only demand is that the law takes its course and the three accused are given the strictest punishment they deserve.”

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