Tzurangkong Kaketshir Mungdang (TKM) has reacted to a recent statement purportedly made by Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio to media that both Assam and Nagaland will share royalty on exploitation of natural resources within Tzurangkong range on a 50-50 share basis.
TKM president Pangertoba and general secretary MOalila in a statement, reiterated that Tzurangkong range is the ancestral land and home of the Tzurangkong people and Aos in general. TKM said the region has been inhabited and protected by the forefathers for generations and therefore any form of oil exploitation or extraction cannot be allowed by disregarding the rightful ownership and traditional rights.
TKM said it strongly opposes such exploration and extraction of natural resources in the land and vowed that no external entity or authority will be allowed to exploit the resources under Tzurangkong range against the will of the people. TKM said the issue was very serious and urged upon the state government to address it with utmost seriousness and sensitivity.
TKM said it had been observing that at times, the central government took unilateral decisions regarding land and resources without consulting the land owners. It said such action created unnecessary tension, particularly among small north eastern states like Nagaland where the border remained vulnerable to encroachments and disputes.
In the light of the above, TKM reasserted that as rightful owners, it was duty bound to protect its land and reaffirmed its resolve not to remain silent with the ancestral rights were at stake. Further TKM reaffirmed its commitment in protecting the land, identity and heritage of the range people and the Aos from any form of encroachment or exploitation.