Chowkidar's Heroics save oil rig

Guwahati, June 13 (UNI) The 'selfless bravery' of a chowkidar of an oil rig saved the ONGC from a major loss when the ULFA tried to explode it.

According to reports received here, two motorcycle-borne ULFA ultras drove to the Pasakao oil rig near Chepon in Sibsagar district and asked the chowkidars of the LP-3 well to move away.

They then placed the timed bomb and went away. But one of the three chowkidars, Ratul Mahan, not only dared to return to the site but found the bomb. Risking his life, he disconnected the bomb from the wire and then hurled it in a nearby stream. He then went to the nearest Sepon police station to inform them about the bomb.

Meanwhile, the ULFA militants returned and found that the bomb was missing. On discovering Ratul's actions, they threatened to kill him. The police later recovered the bomb and defused it.

A scared Ratul is now seeking protection from the authorities.

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