Tripura: Villagers stage protest over drilling of ONGC, FIR against four

Agartala: The Mandabakilla village situated under the Bishalgarh sub-division of Tripura’s Sepahijala District is engulfed in tension as clashes intensify between villagers and officials of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).

The dispute arises from ONGC's drilling activities in the area, which residents claim are causing significant damage to their property and livelihood.

Sources said that for several days, villagers have been at odds with ONGC workers over the drilling operations conducted in Mandabakilla village.

“Complaints include allegations of drilling and explosives destroying paddy fields, resulting in overflow and substantial damage to homes. Reports indicate that cracks have appeared in several houses, posing imminent risks to residents' safety and livelihoods.

In response to the villagers' protests and obstruction of drilling activities, ONGC authorities have taken legal action. A case has been filed against four individuals from the village at the Bishalgarh police station for allegedly impeding the drilling work.

Tensions escalated further this morning as ONGC officials, accompanied by a police TSR (Tripura State Rifles) force, returned to the area. The heightened presence of authorities has exacerbated the already volatile situation, raising concerns among residents about potential confrontations.