Naga Students’ Federation urges for caution on oil exploration

Dimapur: The Naga Student’s Federation (NSF) on Tuesday expressed surprise at the intention of the state government to start oil exploration and extraction in the disturbed area belt (DAB) once a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the government of India and Assam is signed.

In a press statement, NSF said the reason cited for this development was the “substantial loss in revenue due to non-extraction of oil”.

“It is also learnt that the state government is in a hurry to sign the tripartite MOU conceding to the proposal of Assam regarding equal sharing of proceeds on oil and gas from A, B and C of the DAB and that the proceeds from D, E and F may be kept in an escrow account pending settlement between the two states,” it read.

The federation asked why the state government should share royalty with any other state “for any resources whose extraction exercise is carried out solely in the areas been administered by the state government of Nagaland”.

It reminded that on May 2, 1994, a “public statement” was issued to the state government demanding it to stop all activities of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) of India in all Naga areas; revoke licenses or permits made by the state govt. with ONGC; and not accept oil royalty from ONGC till modalities “that are honourable, acceptable and beneficial to the Naga people are worked out.”

‘While admitting that the illegal extraction by the neighbouring state is leading to massive revenue loss and dwindling of the petroleum deposit, it cannot excuse why the state government should resort to steps which will compromise with the inalienable right of the Naga people over our land and resources,’ it said.

NSF therefore urged the government of Nagaland to take a step back and not take any “hasty decision” on the matter, “as such a move threatens to jeopardise the future of the upcoming generation in particular and the Naga people in general”.

It also demanded the state government to place the proposed tripartite agreement in public domain for thorough deliberation, consultations and suggestions prior to the state government acting upon it.