Mokokchung, September 18 (MExN): Parliamentary Secretary for Geology & Mining, Dr Imtiwapang Aier today made a fervent appeal to the Lotha Hoho to reconsider their ‘2nd PIL’ about the Nagaland Gas & Petroleum Act (NGPA) as it infringes on Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution.
The Parliamentary Secretary, Dr Imtiwapang, while speaking with media persons on the sidelines of the inauguration of the designated coal depot at Tuli on last Friday, asserted that coal and oil are those blessed by God and that the Nagas must utilize it to the best of their abilities for their economic growth and sustainability.
He also reminded, and reiterated about the ‘16 Point Agreement where it is stated that the land and its resources belongs to the people’. However, he regretted that the action of the Lotha Hoho in filing the PIL has threatened the ownership of the Naga people over its land and its resources by infringing on Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution.
“There are other approaches,” said the Parliamentary Secretary for G&M. “Why not negotiate; the Nagaland state government is ever willing to listen. We are for the Naga people only.” The Parliamentary Secretary pointed that under the 16 Point agreement Nagaland was placed from being under ‘External Ministry’ to being under the Home Ministry. He further pointed out that the clause in Article 371 (A) where it is stated that the development of Nagaland will be provided from the Consolidated Fund of India has also been has been taken away.
In this connection, the Parliamentary Secretary cautioned that if the Naga people are not careful, the Government of India will surely dilute other provisions in Article 371 (A) especially, regarding the land and its resources.
He said that if the Lotha Hoho takes the PIL to the Supreme Court, there is a very big chance that the Supreme Court may give the ruling in favor of the Indian Government, which will ultimately lead to the Naga people losing their ownership of the mineral resources in the land, especially petroleum and coal.
He therefore earnestly urged the Naga people to seriously ponder upon the issue and take corrective steps. He maintained that coal and oil in Naga areas is a subject of the Naga people as empowered by Article 371 (A) and therefore the Naga people should instead discuss among themselves and do whatever is good for the people themselves.
He therefore strongly urged the Lotha Hoho to negotiate with the state government instead of approaching the court. He said that the elected members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly are there for the greater interest of the whole Naga people only and added that any problem can be solved through negotiations.
.JPG)
