Reacting to the appeal made by eight Naga employees of oil and gas exploration company based in Duliajan, Assam in favour of oil exploration in Nagaland, Working Committee (WC), Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) reiterated that its Agreed Position signed with the Central government on November 17, 2019 and the negotiated status paper thereafter, made it absolutely clear about the status of natural resources of Nagaland below the surface and above.
WC, NNPGs declared that natural resources, including fossil fuels, would be explored, extracted and utilised for the benefit of Naga people as and when the political agreement was inked.
WC also warned that oil and gas companies disrespecting the collective decision of the Nagas on natural resources would be held responsible for any step taken.
WC, NNPGs also asserted that fossil fuels in Naga homeland was not meant for 50:50 sharing with oil companies or states. Instead, WC said exploration, extraction and utilisation of natural resources must be considered only when genuine stakeholders deemed it absolutely essential, with full understanding of the generational benefits.
It maintained that revenue money to be pocketed by few or to repay state’s irresponsible, atrociously accumulated yearly deficits, was not in the interest of the real stakeholders.
Further, WC pointed out that the September 12, 2023 statement issued by eight Naga employees of oil and gas exploration company based in Duliajan, Assam, dwelt on the short-term benefit of oil exploration in Naga areas currently disputed by Assam. WC said the eight, as employees of any company, could never talk beyond profit margin, hence it said the owner’s perspective was sorely absent.
“Oil and natural gas, to the Naga people, is a historical and political subject. The identity of the Nagas is involved. The GoI has understood the Indo-Naga conflict vis-a-vis land and its resources. This facet is beyond quick contractual money and few hundred jobs in the drilling infrastructure,” the statement highlighted.
WC, NNPGs expressed the belief that the Indo-Naga political negotiations had touched all pertinent matters and noted that the Central government would sooner than later respect Nagas’ political and historical rights, their identity and aspiration and usher in enduring peace and co-existence. WC also emphasised that Indo-Naga political settlement was the only long-term solution to all political, social and economic problems.