File Photo: Nagaland Member of Parliament (MP) to the Lok Sabha, Tokheho Yepthomi . (Photo Courtesy: @TokhehoYepthomi/Twitter)
‘Nagas have stifled development on the pretext of Article 371 (A) and the political negotiations’
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 3 (MExN): MP Lok Sabha, Tokheho Yepthomi on Wednesday apprehended that Nagaland was moving towards dystopia with the State’s opportunity for progress and economic prosperity hindered by the persistent cloud of unresolved Naga political issue.
“Whatever justification we give for the inability and incapacity to keep pace with development and economic growth with the rest of the country and world is because of the unresolved political issue and the use of money power in all walks of life,” the Lok Sabha MP said in a press statement.
In the last six decades since attaining statehood, Tokheho said Nagaland have had 11 Chief Ministers and 840 Members of Legislative Assembly who have served the people of Nagaland. With Statehood, the people of Nagaland had great expectations that it would usher in an era of development and prosperity. However, he said the ground realities are on the contrary to peoples’ expectations primarily due to revenue crunch.
“The people of Nagaland have reposed faith in the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for five consecutive elections, 2003, 2008, 2013, 2018 and 2023. So much can only be done by one at the helm of a State which has very limited revenue and the mushrooming of more than twenty (20) Naga political factions,” the MP cited as a case in point.
At the same time, Tokheho also alleged that the present scenario in Delhi, as always, is to say yes to whatever Delhi dictates and “thus, there will be no solution before 2024 May election.”
“The intention of many in Delhi is delay the Naga Political issue for as long as possible to make arrangements for extraction of oil along the Assam Nagaland boundary. Very soon 64% of India’s oil production will come from North-Eastern States, of which Nagaland will not be a part of as the ongoing political negotiations has halted the exploration of oil in Nagaland,” he observed.
Highlighting the progress of oil refinery in neighbouring Assam, Tokheho said by March 2024 the Numaligarh oil refinery will be upgraded from 3 MMT (Million Metric Tons) to 9 MMT, which will make it one of the largest refineries in India.
He said all refineries situated in Assam are being upgraded with Digboi refinery from 0.50 MMT to 1.00 MMT, Guwahati refinery from 1.00MMT to 2.00 MMT and New Bongaigaon from 2.35 MMT to 2.70 MMT to 5.00 MMT. Numaligarh Oil refinery as set up through the Assam Accord in 1985 and commissioned in 2000.
Today the refinery is a source of direct and indirect employment for thousands of youths in Assam. The oil refineries have brought revenues of Rs 18000 crores for the State of Assam over the last 10 years i.e. 2011-12 to 2020-21.
“Whilst our neighbours make economic progress at blistering pace, we Nagas have stifled development on the pretext of Article 371 (A) and the political negotiations,” Tokheho rued.
There are 35 oil refineries along Nagaland and Assam border. Of the 35 oil fields 7 are in Nagaland namely Champang, Hozukhe, Nikihe, Pishikhu, Tokishe, Khoponala and Toshezu.
Citing Article 371 (A) and the Naga Political negotiations none of the aforementioned oil fields are operational. On the other hand of the 28 oil fields in Assam operational. The Government of Nagaland has to ascertain the amount of oil deposit in Nagaland before finalizing the agreement for sharing of oil royalty with Assam, the MP stated.
Pointing out that no economy can develop without energy, Tokheho reminded that Nagaland has been reeling under electricity crisis for decades now “because of our inability to tap into potential sources of energy.”
“We are an electricity deficit State, which makes us heavily dependent on electricity from other states. The energy crisis makes it impossible for micro and small enterprises in the state to function smoothly due to added cost of fuel and generators. Over and above Nagaland has the highest percentage as per population of unemployed youths in the country.”
The MP also pointed out that the stranglehold of businesses in Nagaland by outsiders through the guise of ‘Power of Attorney’ has become so deeply entrenched in our society that it has left people of Nagaland at the mercy of outsiders.
“We must do away with giving of power of attorney to outsiders in order to enable our youth to do business in our own land. Nagas of Nagaland are today politically and economically slaves to outsiders,” he said.
“More than 60% of Nagaland’s population is under the age of 25 which means they are all younger than the Naga political negotiations. It is time for Nagas to decide for economic independence or to continue and keep negotiating for political sovereignty. Should we pass this on to our future generations?”
