ONGC engineer threatens to go on fast-unto-death

SURAT, July 7: A superintending engineer (production) with the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation has threatened to go on a fast-unto-death in front of ONGC Nagar, Phase-I at Hazira, from 11 a.m. on Thursday in protest against his transfer, which he alleges is arbitrary and unlawful.

District collector Sangeeta Singh tried vainly to persuade Jayant Patel to call off his agitation on Wednesday evening.

A former office-bearer of the Association of Scientific and Technical Officers (ASTO), Patel was relieved of his duties on May 31. Patel told Express Newsline that many officers who were more senior to him were not transferred, while he was transferred to Uran in spite of his reluctance.