Dimapur, September 21: The Lotha Hoho has expressed surprise to note that certain elected Naga leaders are spreading the rumour through local media that the its public interest litigation (PIL) on Nagaland Petroleum & Natural Gas would amounts to surrendering the provisions of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution. The Hoho referred to the statement of Parliamentary Secretary, Geology & Mining, Dr Imtiwapang Aier as published in local dailies on September 19.
Stating that the Parliamentary Secretary has rightly pointed out that “coal and oil are for the socio- economic development of the people, Lotha Hoho chairman Mhao Humtsoe and general secretary Er. Mhondamo Ovung, in a release today, said therefore it must be utilised to our utmost abilities. “Yes, that is exactly why the LH has filed the PIL,” the release said. The Hoho clarified that its PIL is not against having the NP & NG Regulations & Rules 2012 and that it was filed seeking review and amendment of some of the provisions of the Regulations and Rules 2012, “which are anti-land owners, in spite of the provisions of Article 371 A, for ownership and transfer of land and its resources”.
Maintaining that the Nagas are keen to uphold the provisions of Article 371 A, the Hoho asked why did the State government impose Section 144 CrPC to launch the MoGPL at Tssori Champang, on July 21, 2014 in violation of the provisions of Article 371A. In this regard, the Lotha (then Kyong) Students’ Union had submitted a memorandum to the NP & NG Board on June 25, 2014 requesting the State Government to reconsider the permit issued to the MoGPL, the release said. But instead of responding to the memorandum the State Government brought the MOGPL to the worksite for launching the exploration/extraction works, on July 21, 2014, the Hoho lamented.
It also said when the Lotha Students’ Union went to participate and raise its voice of dissent, the State Government imposed Section 144 CrPC and prevented the students and people from reaching the launching site. The police, under cover of Section 144 CrPC, assaulted the student leaders who tried to show their presence at the launching site, it stated.
The Hoho argued that the MOGPL was launched without the consent or participation of the people. “Do the Nagas see this episode, created by the state govt, as bestowing the rights under Article 371 A?” it asked
The Hoho said the PIL has in no way undermined the rights of the Nagas but seeks to sustain the rights of the Nagas under the said Article 371A.
The release also said the Lotha Hoho is definitely doing what is best for all the Nagas in the long run. It wondered whether our leaders have read and understood the contents of the NP & NG Regulations and Rules 2012. Instead of misleading the common Naga people, by blaming the Lotha Hoho, the elected Naga leaders need to understand that they are themselves Nagas and that the future of their children should not be bartered away for temporary gains, the release stated. The Hoho also quoted the Parliamentary Secretary who specifically stated “why not negotiate with the Nagaland state govt, which is ever willing to listen”.
If the State Government is willing to listen why it turned a deaf ear to the seven submissions, starting from 2008 to 2015, it asked.
The Hoho also pointed out that the NP & NG Regulations & Rules have been rejected by the Ao Senden, followed by ENPO while questioning as to whether the Lotha land (Wokha district) is to be made an experimental playground before actually executed in other places?
Stating that the State Government did not even invite it to the NG & NG Board Consultative Meet of 19th September 2015, at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, the Lotha Hoho asked with such attitude and under such circumstances, does any sensible Naga think that the landowner is protected under Article 371 A and whether the State Government is doing right to uphold the said Article.
The Lotha Hoho requested the elected Naga leaders to be realistic and not to say or do anything that can mislead the common Naga public who are ignorant of the subject matter.
