Naga group opposes tripartite energy exploration pact before political settlement
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Dimapur, Jun 12 : A group of seven Naga organisations has opposed an agreement among the Centre, Assam and Nagaland on energy exploration on the inter-State border before firming up a political settlement of Naga issues.
The Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), in a statement, asserted that ownership and control over natural resources are part of the ‘Agreed Position’ signed with the Centre in 2017.
Citing provisions of the 2017 agreement, the group maintained that any attempt to explore natural resources in Naga areas before a formal political settlement is reached would be “illegal and against the agreed principles”.
A tripartite agreement was signed on Thursday among the Centre and the Governments of Assam and Nagaland on energy exploration and extraction.
The working committee of NNPG said it would ensure that no National or international company extracts crude petroleum from Naga soil until a political settlement is officially signed.
It described oil extraction before a Naga political settlement as a “betrayal” of Naga rights and interests.
The group also opposed any revenue-sharing arrangement involving Nagaland and Assam, arguing that the disputed area is historically and legally an integral part of the Naga homeland.
The working committee of NNPG, comprising seven Naga political groups, has been negotiating with the Centre for a final Naga political settlement and signed the Agreed Position on November 17, 2017. The Centre has also been holding negotiations with the NSCN-IM for a solution since the signing of the ceasefire in 1997, and inked a Framework Agreement in 2015. In October 2019, the then Interlocutor of the Centre for Naga peace talks declared that discussions had concluded. However, the Centre has not accepted the NSCN-IM’s persistent demand for a separate Flag and Constitution for the Nagas. PTI
The Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), in a statement, asserted that ownership and control over natural resources are part of the ‘Agreed Position’ signed with the Centre in 2017.
Citing provisions of the 2017 agreement, the group maintained that any attempt to explore natural resources in Naga areas before a formal political settlement is reached would be “illegal and against the agreed principles”.
A tripartite agreement was signed on Thursday among the Centre and the Governments of Assam and Nagaland on energy exploration and extraction.
The working committee of NNPG said it would ensure that no National or international company extracts crude petroleum from Naga soil until a political settlement is officially signed.
It described oil extraction before a Naga political settlement as a “betrayal” of Naga rights and interests.
The group also opposed any revenue-sharing arrangement involving Nagaland and Assam, arguing that the disputed area is historically and legally an integral part of the Naga homeland.
The working committee of NNPG, comprising seven Naga political groups, has been negotiating with the Centre for a final Naga political settlement and signed the Agreed Position on November 17, 2017. The Centre has also been holding negotiations with the NSCN-IM for a solution since the signing of the ceasefire in 1997, and inked a Framework Agreement in 2015. In October 2019, the then Interlocutor of the Centre for Naga peace talks declared that discussions had concluded. However, the Centre has not accepted the NSCN-IM’s persistent demand for a separate Flag and Constitution for the Nagas. PTI