Andhra villagers fear flames from ONGC rig, appeal to government

Villagers in Alamaru in Penumantra Mandal here, where Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Limited has recently set up an oil rig have made an appeal to the government to remove the plant from the area.Fearful of the flames that have been rising from the oil rig, anxious villagers say they are afraid that it might catch fire and pose a threat to their lives. They also recollected past incidents of blowouts which caused deaths of many and said no official has come forward to assuage their fears or provide any clarification."Since the past 15 days, flames are coming out from ONGC rig. All the people are afraid, even small children are crying. Heart patients like me are closing the doors of houses even during daytime. We do not know what will happen at any given time. The government must take care of us."Many such incidents had taken place in the nearby areas and some people have also died too. So we want this to be stopped. In case of any big blast takes place, who will rescue us, who