‘Unauthorised’ survey for oil exploration stopped in Nagaland

WOKHA: Amid report of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his Assamese counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma having agreed in principle for joint oil exploration in the disputed area belt (DAB) along the borders of the two states, it has emerged that a group of officials and workers were spotted carrying out a survey at Longtsiri village in Wokha district on Tuesday.

People of Longtsiri village claimed that the team, believed to be from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), was conducting survey for oil exploration in their agricultural lands on April 25 without the knowledge of the village council and with no authorisation letter from the concerned authorities.

The villagers reported the matter to Champang Police Station on Tuesday evening, following which the police went to the spot and seized all the equipment used in carrying out the unauthorized oil survey activities inside Nagaland, it was informed.

The people of Longtsiri village also claimed that such activities were carried out in the area on several occasions in the past too.

Confirming the incident, Mhonthung Kithan, Head Gaon Bura (GB) of Longtsiri village, told Eastern Mirror that the survey activities being conducted in the agricultural land of the village were stopped on Tuesday evening.

He said the contractor (sic) arrived in Longtsiri on Wednesday and told the villagers that the workers engaged in the survey had come to Nagaland without any knowledge (about the jurisdiction).

However, the head GB said that it was not the first incident; similar activates were witnessed on in the past two occasions, which ‘villagers tried to stop’.

He went on to say that any activities in Nagaland have to be undertaken through the directive of the state government and with valid authorization letter. He also said the Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution has to come into picture as the land belongs to the people.