State government has shut down three wells of ONGC for allegedly not obtaining prior permission before starting drilling activities, reports PTI.
DC Dimapur, Rajesh Soundararajan, in a letter to ONGC executive director for Assam Arakan Basin on June 1, reportedly asked ONGC to stop operations at the three wells.
According to PTI report, the letter stated that a report was received on April 9 regarding setting up of drilling activities at Piheku, Tokishe and Nikihe villages, “which are under Dimapur district”. However, the sites fall under a disputed area with Assam, the report quoted sources as saying.
Claiming that the company carried out drilling activities “without the prior permission from the Government of Nagaland”, DC sought clarification in this matter at the earliest. Further, DC asked the concerned authority to stop all activities in the above said area.
Queries sent to ONGC officials remained unanswered, PTI stated.
When contacted, a senior official of the Nagaland government told PTI, “Discussion is underway between the government and ONGC. We are awaiting a reply from the company.” Sources said the area where the drilling wells are located is not under the control of Nagaland.
“The CRPF is in charge of this area and it has a separate border magistrate,” one source said.
He said ONGC has been operating there for some time, and while one well is at the exploration stage, another is already producing. There has been no activity at the site in Tokishe village, source claimed.