Wokha, April 30 (MExN): The Lotha Hoho has expressed concern over the Nagaland State Government's intention to initiate oil extraction in Nagaland and within the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) in collaboration with Assam.
As per the Lotha Hoho, it has come to its attention that Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, had reportedly proposed a joint venture and sharing of returns by writing to the Assam Chief Minister.
Accordingly, the Lotha Hoho apprised the general public and the State Government that an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed between Nagaland Government and the Lotha Hoho on November 20, 2018, for the amendment of the Nagaland Petroleum & Natural Gas (NP&NG) Regulations and Rules 2012 (RR 2012).
Following the signing of the MoU, the Lotha Hoho withdrew a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) related to the issue pending before the Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court, it informed in a press release on April 29. The PIL was withdrawn understanding the importance of utilising natural resources like petroleum and natural gas, it pointed out.
“However, it has now come to light that the Nagaland State Government does not want to take advantage of its resources,” maintained the Lotha Hoho in the release issued by its Chairman, Er Mhondamo Ovung and General Secretary, S Abenthung Ngullie.
To this end, Lotha Hoho wondered why the Nagaland Chief Minister is bypassing stakeholders and showing 'so much confidence' in Assam's Chief Minister, Dr Himanta Sarma.
It further pointed out that the signed MOU is a legal document, and the Lotha Hoho ‘can revive the PIL at any time, as enshrined in the MOU.’
The Lotha Hoho further noted that the Kohima Bench had also took up a Suo Moto PIL (1/2019) to bring the matter to a logical conclusion, and it is still pending before the court.
Meanwhile, the Lotha Hoho also raised concerns over the DAB, which only seems to be on the side of Nagaland, and asked why the State should accept 'unjustified claims' of Assam.
It also questioned the reported transfer of 12 reserved forests of Nagaland to Assam by the British for administrative convenience.
“Are these not Disputed Areas?” Lotha Hoho further posed, maintaining that at the time of the creation of Nagaland State, towns like Sibsagar, Nowgong, and Lakhimpur in Assam were “taken as the tentative boundary” between the two states.
“Hence the line crossing these towns should be declared as the permanent constitutional boundary between the two states,” it asserted.
Meanwhile, the Lotha Hoho stated that the amendment of the Regulations & Rules 2012 is for the benefit of all stakeholders and not just the Lotha tribe. It pointed out some objectionable provisions in the NP&NG RR 2012, such as the requirement for a "No Objection Certificate" to be issued by non-stakeholders like Naga Hoho & ENPO” and the lack of provision for royalty payment to landowners.
In this connection, it asked why the NOC for Lotha land should be issued by non-stakeholders and “whether these provisions are agreeable to the Nagas of Nagaland.”
Unless the MoU is honored and implemented, resulting in the amendment of the NP&NG RR 2012 as per Agreed Points, the Lotha people will not allow exploration or extraction of petroleum or natural gas within its jurisdiction, it asserted.
