In spite of the numerous yeoman service rendered by the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) on several occasion, the NCD, this time, seems confused and discombobulated with the proposed oil exploration in Nagaland. If the NCD felt that the draft modalities prepared by the Grant Thornton has serious defect then it should have carried its independent study and place its suggestions or recommendations to the appropriate authority, rather than to claim erroneously that if oil exploration is being carried out in Nagaland it will create income inequality and will lead to consolidation of powers and wealth into few hands.
Going by the principle of the Naga Council, for the love of socialism, Nagas should not embark on any development process that creates wealth as they are a recipe for disasters. Such phony statement from a respected organization is both ridiculous and outrageous. If the Naga Council is so concerned about social and economic equality then they should look in and around Dimapur and do something to ameliorate the conditions of its subjects by parting off their unaccounted wealth and treasures. Moreover, NCD must be aware that inequality is highest in Dimapur.
It is evidently clear that NCD statement is not an outcome of serious deliberation on the draft modalities but is only a manifestation of their ‘enormous fear and jealousies’ towards the minerals bearing land owners in different parts of Nagaland as hinted by Er. W Kithan. It is, of course, the dream of every Naga that wealth accrued from the exploitation of Natural resources in Nagaland should be equitably shared amongst all Nagas, and that such resources be judiciously used for elevating the common welfare; but to obstruct development for fear of ‘multi-millionaires in waiting’ is as good as to argue that if I don’t benefit no one else should.
Moreover, while agreeing with Er. W Kithan, that Grant Thornton is a world renowned firm where their advice has been accepted and implemented in many countries, it would be wrong to argue that the Nagas must blindly accept what has been laid down by Thornton Advisory Group. What is good for others may not be necessarily good for us: for instance, ONGC is a huge corporation of repute but its dealings with the Changpang-Tssori oil fields is abominable. It would be unprofessional to presume that since the firm is of international repute they should be given a free ride. Such complacency of the Nagas, particularly the legislatures, has caused a terrible mess at Changpang where oil was illegally tapped without making proper compensations and addressing other safety measures. Hence, it is the duty of the government and the responsible civil organizations to seriously study the issue before final decision is being taken. And Er. W Kithan, being the representative from the affected community, the people expects him to be more vocal in ventilating the voice and plight of his people.
Mr. Chumbenthung K Lotha,
Dimapur.
kchumben@gmail.com
