Nagaland Govt to take a relook at Assam-Nagaland oil exploration proposal

While the NNPGs have opposed the proposal, political parties like NPF, NCP and apex Naga body, Naga Hoho have supported it with safeguards

Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio during his meeting with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma in New Delhi on April 20

Amid opposition by the seven NNPGs to the proposed oil exploration by Assam and Nagaland in disputed areas along the border of the two states, political parties like the NPF and NCP and the apex Naga body, Naga Hoho have welcomed the move.

Speaking to Northeast Live, NPF secretary general and MLA Achumbemo Kikon said, “everybody cares for the resources of Nagaland. Simply raising an objection without properly analysing the status of what is the intention as well as what has transpired between the two states may be a little hasty at the moment. Therefore, I think we need to cooperate with one another and find a best possible way which will benefit our people without compromising the rights of the Naga people. The Nagaland government has studied both the merit and demerit of the issue and the best possible option at the moment is to have a proper understanding with the Government of Assam because many of the oil producing areas fall in the disputed areas. And the boundary issue between Assam and Nagaland, is still pending in the SC. So, I think with the best of his intention, our Hon’ble CM as well as the present government is trying to reach out to our neighbour and is exploring the possibility how to come to a kind of understanding with our neighbouring state Assam without compromising the rights of the Naga people.”

Naga Hoho general secretary Elu Ndang said, “There should not be any problem if the concerned state governments take into confidence the stakeholders and the Naga civil societies and have further discussions and consultations. These should not have any future effect.”

Ndang however feels that the disturbed area between both the states is a sensitive matter and the issue of dispute can be settled only through political negotiations.

Nagaland NCP spokesperson and MLA Toiho Yeptho said, “The NNPGs have their own opinion and right to express their opinion so I have no comment on that. But, all the oilfields are situated in the disputed areas. My opinion is that if the royalty is shared by both the Nagaland government and the Assam government on 50-50 basis, then I think it will be a good revenue for our government. Peace talks is a different issue altogether, and this is about the revenue generation programme. I think it is ok to go ahead with that.”

Meanwhile, Nagaland Parliamentary Affairs Minister KG Kenye said, “We will have to take a closer look at the issue, side by the side, the CMs of the two states have also reached a certain level of understanding. So it will be in the interest of both the states and the Centre. We will have a closer look not to in anyway antagonise both sides and an approach which will be satisfying to all the stakeholders also. So, I am sure reviews will be undertaken in a short time.”

It may be mentioned that the NNPGs had objected to the MoU stating that the matter is a subject of the ongoing negotiations between the Government of India, NSCN-IM and the NNPGs pertaining to a final solution to the Naga political issue.

The WC NNPGs said that both Assam and Nagaland have no authority to negotiate or enter into joint agreements on oil exploration or agreement on the unresolved border areas.

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