LLRPO urges Nagaland government to include Bhandari MLA in petroleum and natural gas panel

DIMAPUR— The Lotha Lower Range Public Organisation (LLRPO) has expressed shock over non inclusion of the legislator from 40 Bhandari Assembly Constituency in the ministerial group on petroleum and natural gas, 2023-2028, constituted by the governor of Nagaland.

It came a day after the Western Sumi Hoho made a similar complain, saying that not including any Sumi legislator in the seven-member panel headed by the chief minister is discriminaroty.

In a press release, the LLRPO said that Bhandari HQ, the first oil extraction area in Nagaland, has been neglected as its MLA is not included in the panel.

Claiming that the constituency has been neglected for years, it sought inclusiveness and accommodative spirit from the state government.

The ONGC started crude oil extraction for the first time in Nagaland from Changpang-Tssori in Wokha, in 1973, but it was suspended following public agitation in 1994, it stated, while requesting the state government to start exploring oil again after prior consultation with the owners, including the Lotha Hoho and all frontal organisations under LLRPO.

The organisation has requested the state government to include the MLA of Bhandari as “a co-opted member if not ministerial group member of petroleum and natural gas Nagaland for smooth and successful implementation”.

Related news: Nagaland government forms ministerial group on petroleum and natural gas