Oil exploration: Nagaland govt. calls for consultative meeting

Kohima: Amid opposition from several civil society organisations and the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) with regard to the oil exploration issue along the border of Assam and Nagaland, the state government has convened a consultative meeting with stakeholders and tribal bodies to deliberate on the issue.

This comes in the backdrop of both the chief ministers of Nagaland and Assam, Neiphiu Rio and Himanta Biswa Sarma, agreeing in principle to go ahead with oil exploration in areas along the disputed boundaries for the economic benefit of both states during their meeting on April 20.

Replying to queries at a press conference in Kohima, Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton said the Memorandum of Understanding has not been signed yet and the chief ministers of Nagaland and Assam have “only agreed in principle”, adding that a consultative meeting will be convened with all stakeholders of oil bearing areas like Mon, Longleng, Mokokchung, Wokha, Niuland and Dimapur and also with all the tribal bodies and civil society organisations before coming to any conclusion on this matter.

“Unless we have a thorough discussion with the civil societies that will not be carried out”, he said.

Meanwhile, a notification issued by the government of Nagaland, General Administration Branch-I on April 29 stated a consultative meeting had been convened on May 9 at 10 am in the State Banquet Hall, Chief Minister’s Residential Complex, Kohima to deliberate on matters pertaining to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), oil and gas exploration and production, RIIN and the Nagaland Village and Tribal Councils Act, 1978.