Naga groups opposed to Mineral exploration in the Assam-Nagaland border areas

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• Apr 24, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Naga National Political Groups, a coalition of six Naga outfits, asked chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Sunday to "withdraw any kind of...

Digital Desk: The Naga National Political Groups (NNPG), a coalition of six Naga outfits, asked chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Sunday to "withdraw any kind of deal with Assam on disturbed, unresolved boundary areas and mineral exploration attempts within it, as it is guarded by Naga historical and political sanctity."

Rio and his Assam counterpart, Himanta Biswa Sarma, met last week to discuss border disputes and reached an agreement in principle to explore oil in disputed regions for the economic benefit of both states.

Reportedly, both chief ministers also talked about mutual interests and partnerships in inter-state oil exploration.

Rio told the reporters following the meeting with Sarma that both states had agreed in principle to enter into an MoU on oil exploration in the areas of dispute along the inter-state boundary so that oil could be extracted and revenues divided between the two states.

"Once formalised, there is a tremendous opportunity for oil exploration in Nagaland as well. And to move forward, as the country is in dire need of oil," he said.

Oil exploration has been halted in Nagaland for quite some time due to a dispute between the Centre and the state over the exploration issues.

The NNPG Working Committee said in a statement on Sunday that it is forced to demand that the Nagaland Chief Minister cancel any kind of agreement with Assam on the disturbed, unresolved boundary areas and mineral exploration attempts within it, "as it is guarded by Naga historical and political sanctity and thus, immoral and unacceptable to the stakeholders."

"Assam and Nagaland do not have any powers to negotiate or enter into mutual agreements on oil exploration or any sharing contract on the unresolved border areas, as the matter has been subject to intense Negotiations between the NNPG and the Government of India," the statement said.

It stated that the matter is a major component of Naga political talks, which are now being negotiated and await final agreement between Central and Naga negotiators.

In terms of the disputed areas, both the Assam and Nagaland state governments are only caretaker governments, according to the NNPG, adding that the two-state governments should not forget the history of violence and conflict along the borders, which has cost hundreds of innocent lives and police personnel.

"The handshake should not encourage another instance of bloodshed. There are armed revolutionary groups fighting for the right to defend their historical political rights in both regions, thus the MoUs are premature and inappropriate because they cannot wash away the stain of a thousand blood," it said. 

It further stated that the proposed MOU on mineral development on un-demarcated boundaries would have major effects on border areas. "Leaders should not interpret the calm environment as a license to do whatever they want with land and resources."

"They will bear sole responsibility for the consequences of my actions in the disputed areas. Let it be that the only landowners in the disturbed region belt are the Nagas, and they are free to take whatever steps are necessary to safeguard their historical and customary land rights from flagrant abuses of power and authority by swindlers and profiteers. The NNPG has not given up our ancestral homeland to any neighbouring state," the statement said.

The Central government has been having discussions with the NSCN-IM, the leading Naga organisation, and the NNPG to solve the decades-old Naga political crisis. The impasse persisted as the NSCN-IM maintained its demand for a distinct Naga flag and constitution.