KLH, ZPO (N) concerned over handling of oil issue by government

EMN DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 26 The Kohima Lotha Hoho and Zeliang Public Organization (N) have expressed serious concern over the manner the State government is handling the oil issue despite protests and boycott against launching of oil exploration programmee of MOGPL in Wokha and Peren. Clarifying that they are not questioning the State government’s authority to award an exploration permit to any company in Wokha, Peren or anywhere in the State, the KLH and ZPO (N), in a joint release issued by ZPO (N) general secretary Kiesamyi Iranggaung and KLH general secretary Thunglamo Ovung today, explained that they are concerned about the company, MOGPL, which has been under scanner in its credibility in the newspapers ever since its name was cleared for taking up exploration works in Nagaland by the State government. Both the organizations have also irrevocably stated that they are not against development in the State of Nagaland and particularly in the oil and gas sector so long as the public benefits are imminent and the NPNG rules and regulations are amended based on the inalienable rights of the people and at the same time strictly followed. However, the KLH and ZPO (N) questioned the manner in which MOGPL was awarded the permit by the government in clear violations of its own approved NPNG rules and regulations. Pointing out that the Kyong Students Union also had submitted a detailed memorandum earlier to the State government in regard to the questionability of the company, the two organizations lamented that instead of looking into the matter the State government launched the oil exploration work at Changpang despite legitimate protest and the same had been done in Peren despite boycott call. “The refusal by the State government in responding to the democratic rights of the KSU and the Lotha Public and also Peren land owners is an act of dictatorship by the present State Government Which is an insult to the existing democratic norms,” the joint release stated. Stating that it has recently filed a PIL in the Kohima bench of Gauhati High Court on the issue of awarding permit to MOGPL, the KLH said it has full faith in the judiciary in granting justice. During the pendency of the PIL and till its outcome as decided by the High Court, the KLH & ZPO (N) said they would refrain from giving any further statements in the public and requested the Chief Minister not to mislead the people of Nagaland by trying to defend the MOGPL through “false statements”. The KLH and ZPO (N) also warned the MOGPL from giving any concocted statements in the public and advised it to respect the decorum of the judiciary and submit their responses to the PIL filed by KLH.