In a set back for those advocating oil exploration in Nagaland the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) has maintained that till solution to the Naga political issue is secured, any effort to explore or extract petroleum products “independently or in collaboration with any company will not be in the best interest of the Naga people” but would prove a “big hindrance and an impediment”.
WC in a release, also said it is very clear that long term interest of the Nagas is all that matters and so, advised the government of the day, to desist from “gnawing away at the core issues of Indo-Naga settlement”.
It said time was not right for the state government to frame any policy on extracting petroleum resources and that it (WC) was very clear that all natural resources belong to the people and will be utilised only after the government of India “officially announce acceptable and honourable political solution.”
WC said exploration of oil and natural gas on the eve of political solution must be avoided and reiterated that the Agreed Position signed with the government of India on November 17,2017 “has sufficient legal and constitutional provisions to safeguard the land, political and historical identity of the Nagas.”
WC in a release, said till such time an effective administrative system came into force, no petroleum products should be explored or extracted.
WC said though physical integration of all Nagas and their ancestral lands “cannot happen at the moment” yet the principle of honourable and acceptable solution would be applied on all Naga areas of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. It said Nagaland-Assam boundary will also be settled through neutral high-power commission that is derived from Indo-Naga political agreement.
Further WC also said even the special status and privileges of Nagaland state as well as identity of Nagas as a whole “will be compromised.”
WC mentioned that from the very first round of political negotiations, it (WC/NNPGs) and the government of India in 2017, it had held a series of consultations and briefings with Naga tribes on what was the best for the people.
WC said that the Agreed Position had set the parameters of the negotiations and copies of the status of negotiations made available with all elected representatives in Nagaland as well as apex tribal bodies and other stakeholders since the issue and matter is of the Nagas by the Nagas and for the Nagas.
Therefore, WC said its status paper either in part of whole, is not shrouded in mystery and which is the difference between WC, NNPGs and others.
WC said as per negotiations, a bicameral legislature called Tatar Hoho would emerge, comprising of representatives of all indigenous Naga tribes and non-Naga indigenous stakeholders in the upper house, which will be based on Naga customary system –Nagaland Federal Hoho- or House of Elders, “perpetual in succession”.
According to WC, the Tatar Hoho will have absolute legislative powers on all subjects under “Land and its Resources” in accordance with the practices and procedures of Naga customs and traditions.
It said the lower house will be known as “Leacy Hoho” comprising of democratically elected members through adult suffrage. WC the Agreed Position also envisages the principle of “mutual coexistence” between the government of India and the Nagas.
While expressing appreciation of the “magnanimous role of the Nagaland state government as facilitators in the Indo-Naga political dialogue”, WC said the focus must continue for facilitating genuine political transformation and ending the “Indo-Naga conflict” through solution.
WC urged upon all sensible Naga leader to ensure that future generations do not suffer from blunders committed today and that it was time to instil hope and not “politically motivated venom into the veins of our people”. WC maintained that Nagas should protect and preserve people’s natural resources and therefore appealed on all people to “be vigilant against oil prospectors who are nothing but insatiable, remorseless profiteers.”
- Nagaland Post