The Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPGs) has expressed strong opposition to any oil exploration or extraction activities in Naga-inhabited areas until a formal Indo-Naga political settlement is signed with the Government of Indi
In a press statement the WC-NNPGs said that the “Agreed Position” signed on November 17, 2017, between the Government of India’s then interlocutor R.N. Ravi and WC-NNPGs Convener N. Kitovi Zhimomi recognised the rights of Nagas over their land and natural resources.
Quoting the agreement’s “Status Paper,” the group stated that ownership and transfer of land and its natural resources, including minerals, fossil fuels, petroleum and natural gas, would be matters for the future Nagaland Government and the Naga Tatar Hoho to legislate upon after a political settlement.
The WC-NNPGs claimed that any attempt to explore or extract natural resources before the final settlement would go against the agreed principles. The group warned that it would oppose any company, whether national or international, involved in extracting crude oil from Naga territories.
The organisation also rejected the idea of sharing oil revenues between Nagaland and Assam, stating that such arrangements would not serve the interests of the Naga people. It maintained that areas falling under the “Disturbed Area Belt” were historically and legally part of the Naga homeland.
However, the WC-NNPGs said that companies such as Oil India Limited, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, and other public and private energy firms could become partners with the Nagas after a political settlement is reached.
The group urged the Government of India to officially conclude the Naga political settlement, saying that Nagas could play an important role in development and strategic cooperation in India’s eastern region.