UKHRUL: Following the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Thursday by Nagaland, Assam, and the Union Government to facilitate mineral oil operations, the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) have rejected the agreement.
According to the Press Information Bureau, the agreement was signed in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah and aims to promote mineral oil exploration in the Assam-Nagaland border areas. The MoU is described as historic and is expected to create a new economic corridor of energy, investment, and prosperity across the entire Northeast.
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The PIB from New Delhi stated, “The vast reserves of oil, gas, and minerals available in Nagaland will help reduce India’s dependence on foreign sources for oil and gas. Nearly 80% of the Northeast has been freed from the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), and the entire region is expected to be free from it in the coming days. The Modi Government has placed the development of the Northeast at the center of its agenda; today, the region is moving forward with a spirit of ‘Nation First.’”
In response, the NNPGs stated on Thursday that until an official Indo-Naga political settlement is signed, any attempt to explore natural resources in Naga areas is considered illegal and against the agreed principles. They emphasized that until a settlement is reached, the Working Committee (WC) of the NNPGs will ensure that no company, whether national or international, extracts crude petroleum reserves from Naga soil, using peaceful or other means.
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The NNPGs highlighted the Agreed Position signed between their leaders, led by Convener N. Kitovi Zhimomi, and the Government of India (GoI), represented by RN Ravi, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 17, 2020. The agreement states that ownership and transfer of land and its resources, including mines, minerals, fossil fuels, petroleum, and natural gas, will be overseen by the Nagaland Tatar Hoho, which will legislate on these matters. For resources with national security implications, exploration and mining shall occur through Joint Venture Agreements between the Government of India and the Government of Nagaland.
The NNPGs further asserted that this implies the establishment of a post-solution Nagaland Government, and any attempts to explore natural resources in the Naga areas are illegal without an official Indo-Naga political settlement. They reiterated that the revenue-sharing model between Nagaland and Assam, or any other state, serves the interests of a select few and does not benefit the Naga people. They pointed out that Assam does not share its oil revenues with Nagaland, so Nagaland should not have to share with Assam.
The NNPGs further expressed that the opposition from Nagaland tribes and civil societies against oil exploration and extraction is justified. They stated that companies such as Oil India Limited (OIL), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Metropolitan Oil and Gas Private Limited (MO&GPL), Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) could become reliable partners for the Naga people after a political settlement.
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Finally, the NNPGs questioned when the Government of India would officially sign and declare the Naga political settlement, acknowledging and appreciating the Naga history and identity. They emphasized that the Naga people possess the inherent talent and experience to collaborate with the Government of India in the strategic eastern sector. They concluded by stating that it is essential for the political leadership of India to respond to the Naga people.
