ATASU ONGC shutdown plans for August 25 have been suspended after the All Tai Ahom Students’ Union (ATASU) held talks with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) authorities in Assam. The decision followed a four-hour meeting where several demands linked to employment, company operations and heritage preservation were discussed.
ATASU president Basanta Gogoi said the organisation decided to put the proposed shutdown on hold after receiving assurances from ONGC. However, the student body said it would continue to monitor whether the commitments made during the meeting are implemented.
ATASU ONGC shutdown call put on hold
The proposed ATASU ONGC shutdown was part of a wider agitation over issues the organisation said affected Assam and its people. The union had planned a statewide shutdown of ONGC installations on August 25.
The latest decision came after representatives of ATASU and ONGC met to discuss the concerns. According to Gogoi, the talks covered local employment, the location of ONGC offices, financial operations, student support and the preservation of historical sites.
As a result, ATASU has suspended the shutdown for now rather than proceeding with the planned action.
Local jobs remain a major demand
Employment opportunities for local candidates were among the key issues raised during the meeting. ATASU has repeatedly called for greater opportunities for Assamese youth in ONGC-related activities.
According to the organisation, ONGC agreed to consider the demand for employment opportunities for eligible candidates from Assam. The assurance addresses one of the central concerns behind the recent protests.
ATASU had earlier raised similar concerns during a June protest in Sivasagar. At that time, the organisation criticised what it described as inadequate opportunities for local youths and also raised objections to outsourcing and other operational decisions.
ATASU ONGC shutdown linked to office concerns
Another issue discussed was the reported relocation of ONGC offices and functions outside Assam. ATASU had demanded that offices associated with the company’s Assam operations remain within the state.
The organisation said ONGC assured its representatives that no ONGC office would be shifted out of Assam. Meanwhile, the company reportedly explained concerns over the relocation of some financial operations to Delhi as part of a move to centralise financial processes.
That clarification was important for ATASU, which had previously expressed concern about the possible transfer of functions away from Assam. The union had also demanded that the interests of local communities be protected as ONGC changes its administrative arrangements.
UPSC support and heritage site assurance
The talks also covered educational support for students from Assam preparing for Union Public Service Commission examinations. Gogoi said ONGC agreed to arrange training and other support to help students prepare for and appear in the UPSC examinations.
Additionally, the condition of the historic Pohu Garh site in Sivasagar was discussed. According to ATASU, ONGC assured the organisation that the site would be developed, beautified and preserved.
The issue has significance for the union because the protection of Assam’s historical and cultural heritage has featured in its broader demands concerning ONGC’s activities in the state.
ATASU to monitor ONGC commitments
The suspension of the ATASU ONGC shutdown does not mark the end of the organisation’s campaign. Gogoi indicated that the union would closely watch the implementation of the assurances received during the meeting.
The latest development therefore shifts the immediate focus from protest action to follow-up. If the commitments are implemented, the decision could ease tensions between ATASU and ONGC. However, the organisation has made clear that its future course will depend on progress on the issues raised.
Overall, the talks have temporarily prevented the planned August 25 shutdown while giving both sides an opportunity to address concerns through engagement. The implementation of the assurances will now be closely watched by ATASU and other stakeholders in Assam.