CNTC reiterates stand on oil exploration, peace process

Dimapur, Aug. 1 (EMN): The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has appealed to all apex hohos and civil society organizations to put more pressure on the state government for resumption of oil exploration and extraction at the earliest.

CNTC media cell in a press release also appealed to all civil societies and NGOs to pressure the central government and the negotiating parties to sign the final solution at the earliest as various NPGs were levying exorbitant taxes on the own people by taking advantage of the prolonged peace process.

It stated that some of the oil bearing lands fall under Niuland, Changpang area under Wokha district and some foothills areas under Mokokchung, Longleng and Mon districts.

But due to negligence of exploration by the state government, the state is incurring heavy losses in terms of crores.

CNTC president, T. Lanu Imchen reiterated that Lothas in particular were at the loss due to non-exploration of oil from their land, it stated.

CNTC and Central Nagaland Women Association (CNWA) took up these issues at the separate meetings with various Sumi organizations of downtrodden areas under Zunheboto district and Ao organizations of remote area under Mokokchung including Ao Senden, it informed.

Status on the Foothill road construction was also highlighted wherein the recent amount sanctioned by the state government was also briefed to the members.

“CNTC acknowledged the responsibilities shouldered by the public of bordering villages for defending our rights for welfare of the entire Nagas and call for peaceful co-existence with our neighbors,” it stated.

Further, it stated that CNTC also explained to the members on the vision and purpose of formation of CNTC and said that it was not a political parties nor organizations but a pressure group to voice out the grievances and the needs of the people of entire Nagas in general and particularly to establish unity of the three tribes for the betterment of socially, economically and politically of our people.