Gas leak reported after suspected oil theft attempt near Baghjan in Assam's Tinsukia

A gas leak was reported in Assam’s Baghjan area in the early hours of Monday, August 24, after suspected miscreants allegedly attempted to steal oil by cutting an Oil India Limited (OIL) pipeline.
 

The incident reportedly occurred at around 2.40 am near Baghjan Dighaltarang Higher Secondary School and Rupkonwar Jatiya Vidyalaya.
 

According to local reports, the suspected oil theft attempt damaged the petroleum pipeline, following which gas began leaking continuously from the line.
 

Oil India’s security personnel were present at the site, while officials and technical personnel were reportedly yet to arrive to undertake measures to stop the leak.
 

The incident has triggered concerns among local residents, with fears of a repeat of the 2020 Baghjan blowout, one of Assam’s major industrial disasters.
 

The 2020 incident involved an uncontrolled gas leak at Oil India’s Baghjan oilfield that continued for several months and caused extensive damage to the surrounding environment and nearby communities.
 

Authorities are expected to assess the extent of the damage and take steps to secure the pipeline and contain the gas leak.