DIMAPUR, JUNE 30 (MExN): The NSCN (I-M) today sent a message to ONGC and Canoro Resources, telling the oil companies to “keep their hands off Nagalim” and to “please come back when the right time comes.”
“Anything of exploration of Nagas’ natural resources before the political settlement of Indo-Naga issue is to be interpreted as ‘economic exploitation’. Politics and economics are two subjects very dear to the Nagas and these two cannot be separated,” an MIP release stated.
Under the present political scenario when Indo-Naga political negotiation is going on, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio “should have exercised the courtesy of inviting NSCN in the meeting participated by ONGC, CANORO Resources Ltd, Geology & Mining,” it added. “Where is his respect for the NSCN that enjoys Naga people’s mandate to settle the Nagas’ political issue?”
The organization stated that its ‘Ministry of Forest, Environment and Minerals’ has already clarified that as far as economic resources is concerned “what is on the ground, above the ground and under the ground belongs to the people. In this context, Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution should not be interpreted to go against the Nagas’ economic right.
Nagas’ economic right shall be exploited by Naga people’s full consent but only after getting the deserved treatment on the Nagas’ political right under the dominant government of India.”
Fully agreeing with the Canada-based Canoro Resources Limited’s argument that oil exploration in ‘Nagalim’ will bring economic development, the NSCN (I-M) however stated that the “undeniable reality is that the Canadian Company has come to Nagalim at the wrong time. This is to defend Canoro’s reputation and not to be a part of the exploitative mindset of the government of India’s oil giant ONGC.”
“There will come a time, provided a correct political situation is created when GPRN will invite ONGC and other foreign companies for oil exploration in the interest of Nagalim’s economic development.”
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