Dimapur, June 11 (MExN): The Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) on Thursday asserted that any attempt to explore natural resources in Naga areas before the formal signing of an Indo-Naga political settlement would be “illegal” and contrary to the principles agreed between the Government of India (GoI) and the WC, NNPGs.
In a statement, the group referred to the Agreed Position signed on November 17, 2017, and maintained that ownership and control of land and natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, mines and minerals, formed part of the understandings reached during the political negotiations.
Citing Part VII of the agreement, the WC, NNPGs stated that the Nagaland Tatar Hoho was envisaged as the apex body to legislate on matters relating to these resources. It contended that, until an Indo-Naga political settlement is formally signed, any attempt to explore natural resources in Naga areas would be contrary to the agreed principles as it implied a “post-solution Nagaland Government.”
The group further declared that it would “peacefully or otherwise” ensure that no company, national or international, extracts crude petroleum from Naga soil until a settlement is reached.
According to the WC, NNPGs, any arrangement involving revenue-sharing between Nagaland and Assam, or any other state, would not serve the interests of the Naga people.
It also reiterated its position that the so-called Disturbed Area Belt (DAB) is legally and historically an integral part of the Naga homeland and maintained that opposition by Naga tribes and civil society organisations to oil exploration in the disputed areas was justified.
At the same time, the group said companies such as Oil India Limited, ONGC, IOC, BPCL and HPCL could become partners in the development of Naga resources after a political settlement is reached.
The WC, NNPGs further questioned when the GoI would formally sign and announce the long-pending Naga political settlement, stating that Nagas possess the experience and capacity to partner with the Centre in the development of the strategic eastern region.
The statement noted that the Agreed Position was signed by the then GoI interlocutor for the Naga peace talks, RN Ravi, and WC, NNPGs Convener N Kitovi Zhimomi, who led the Naga delegation.
