BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 22nd February 2024 : In a distressing incident, approximately 25 houses, including several mud houses, in the Barajala Banshtali area under Bishramganj of Tripura’s Sepahijala District, have reportedly sustained significant damage due to a series of landmine explosions conducted by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Tripura Asset.
The explosions, carried out as part of natural gas exploration activities, have prompted affected residents to demand swift compensation for the extensive destruction of their homes.
According to sources, the blasts, involving the use of dynamite for underground exploration, resulted in severe structural damage to 20 to 25 houses in the vicinity.
Local resident, informed reporters that residents had successfully halted the detonation of dynamite until compensation was provided, preventing workers from resuming their activities in the affected area.
Expressing the frustration of the affected community, “We are poor people, and in these circumstances, they are blasting bombs, damaging our homes. We have demanded compensation from ONGC officials, or else we won’t allow them to blast bombs.”
Residents have recounted multiple instances of house cracks caused by the frequent dynamite explosions during ONGC’s exploration efforts. Despite ONGC’s assurances that such effects wouldn’t occur, residents assert that their homes have suffered significant damage.
Another resident shared, “Due to the blast of bombs by ONGC, our houses are partially damaged. We repaired them, but the same thing happened again. We are requesting financial help from ONGC and the government. When they blast the bomb, we don’t stay inside our homes as it may lead to accidents.”
