DIMAPUR, AUGUST 1 (MExN): The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has asked all Hohos and civil society organizations to pressurize government on oil exploration and the peace process.
A press release from the CNTC media cell said that more pressure needs to be put on the State Government for resumption of oil exploration and extraction at the earliest.
“Some of the oil bearing lands fall under Niuland, Changpang area under Wokha district and some foothills areas under Mokokchung, Longleng and Mon districts. But due to negligence of exploration by the State Government, the state is incurring heavy losses in terms of crores,” it said.
CNTC President, T Lanu Imchen said that the Lotha community “in particular was at the loss due to non-exploration of oil from their land.”
The CNTC also appealed to all civil societies and NGOs to pressure the Central Government and the negotiating parties to sign the final solution at the earliest as various Naga political groups were levying exorbitant taxes on their own people by taking advantage of the prolonged peace process.
“CNTC and Central Nagaland Women Association (CNWA) took up these issues at the separate meetings with various Sumi organizations of downtrodden areas under Zunheboto district and Ao organizations of remote area under Mokokchung including Ao Senden,” it informed.
It said that the status on the Foothill Road construction was also highlighted wherein the recent amount sanctioned by the State Government was also briefed to the members. It acknowledged the responsibilities shouldered by the public of bordering villages for “defending our rights for welfare of the entire Nagas and call for peaceful co-existence with our neighbors.”
The CNTC informed that it has explained to the members “on the vision and purpose of formation of CNTC and said that it was not a political parties nor organizations but a pressure group to voice out the grievances and the needs of the people of entire Nagas in general and particularly to establish unity of the three tribes for the betterment of socially, economically and politically of our people.”
During the meeting, CNTC Vice President, Hukiye Yepthomi said that people were losing crores of rupees everyday due to non-functioning of oil exploration and extraction. He highlighted on the CNTC participation in the consultation called by the State Government on issues such as the Naga political issue, RIIN, ULB, NLTP Act etc.
CNTC Vice President, Khondao Ngullie highlighted the various activities and issues undertaken by the CNTC since its inception during the last 10 years such as “de-recognition of outsider as indigenous tribe of Nagaland” and emphasis on the formation of Central Nagaland Students Association (CNSA), Central Nagaland Legislature Forum (CNLF) and Central Nagaland Women Association (CNWA).
CNWA President, K Atoli Sema briefed on the recent formation of CNWA and sought support from all section of societies.
