Dimapur, April 18 (MExN): The Zeliangrong Baudi, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland (AMN) has stated that no organization or union can assert itself concerning petroleum and natural gas, except the tribal Hohos. Reacting to the Peren District Petroleum and Natural Gas Bearing Belt Land Owners Union’s (PDPNGBBLOU) move to take control of land rights in Peren, the ZB (AMN) categorically stated “no organisations or Union has the approval of Zeliangrong Baudi as Per the Petroleum & Natural Gas (P&NG) rules and regulations laid down and passed by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.”
In a statement received here from its President, Raitu Chawang, and General Secretary, K. Elu Ndang, the ZB (AMN) asserted that “The Regulations were duly approved by the Tribal bodies which empower the Naga Hoho/ENPO and its units for dealing with the P&NG Board and Ministerial Group (MG). Any Landowner who is having any grievances can approach their village council who will forward the matter to Baudi or respective Hohos. The decision of Baudi in that matter will be referred to Naga Hoho whose decision shall be final.” This was reiterated at the Baudi’s central executive meeting held on April 17 at Burma Camp, Dimapur.
The PDPNGBBLOU that day, through the local media, had asserted their position that “no agency/Body/Union/Individual” would be permitted to “negotiate/bargain” with the government or any other agency or represent the union at any forum without prior consent and approval on matters pertaining to oil exploration and extraction in the district.
While reminding that the P&NG rules and regulations were made final with the mandate of the customary bodies and public organizations, the ZB said this is “equally binding to all Nagas”.
In this, the ZB (AMN) has, in a first of its kind, called for the application of the Nagaland rules to the Zeliangrong areas of Manipur and Assam as well. Its press release affirmed, “Any exploration of oil and natural gas in the Zeliangrong territory shall be in accordance with the Nagaland system of revenue sharing and adequate structuring of the rules and regulations. The royalty system is not acceptable and no acquisition of land will be allowed.
Zeliangrongs being Nagas, are signatory to the Sixteen Point Agreement, the terms applicable to the Nagas in the agreement applies to the Zeliangrongs and therefore, Manipur or Assam Government should not violate the terms and conditions of an agreement with the Union of India and the Nagas.”
The ZB (AMN) also stated firmly that “Unions and individuals and political parties stand prohibited from making any open statement in the matter. Only respective Hohos have such rights for issuing statement or interacting with the Government.”
The Naga Hoho, in its federal assembly held in Dimapur last week, has in fact asked the government to stop ongoing exploration of natural resources without the consent of the land owners. It asked the government to take both the land owners and tribe Hohos into confidence before taking any further action.
 MEETING RESOLUTION.JPG)
