Dimapur, November 1 (MExN): In a representation to the Convener of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas (PNG), President of the Zeliang People Organisation (ZPO), N. Azu Newmai, and President of the Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO), Razouvoto Catsu, have asked for a modification on revenue sharing on PNG.
Following an extensive meeting on October 3 and 31 at the CPO office in Chumukedima, the tribal Hoho members have recognized the rights of the people of Nagaland over land and its resources as enshrined in Article 371 (a) of the Constitution of India. They have decided the following as the non-negotiable rights of the people, “violation of which will immediately tantamount to non-cooperation by the Hohos in the process of oil exploration”:
1. That the land ownership belongs to the village and will be represented by the village councils. Consequently the tribal HOHOs will be the sole arbitrator on the issue of land and its resources.
2. That the 16 percent of royalty should be given to the land owners with not less than 2 percent of the 16 percent as royalty for oil-well head landowners.
3. That the District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) cannot decide or be the beneficiaries of the royalty and shall be immediately replaced by the Tribal HOHOs.
4. That the royalty shall be directly deposited in the account of the tribal HOHOs and which will in turn be disbursed by the HOHO to the village councils and the landowners.
5. That the concern department be properly directed/ask to curve-out oil zones in such a way that one oil zone fall under one single community in order to avoid disputes.
