The Working Committee (WC), Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) urges the CM of Nagaland to retract any Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Assam regarding the disputed, unsettled boundary Areas and attempts to exploit minerals in the area are seen as immoral and unacceptable by the relevant parties, due to the Naga historical and political holiness that safeguards it.
Recently, the Chief Minister of Assam and Nagaland held talks on settling their border dispute, and they agreed in-principle to investigate the possibility of exploiting oil in the disputed areas for economic gain.
On Thursday, Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, held a private meeting with his Nagaland counterpart, Neiphiu Rio, at Assam House in an effort to settle the long-standing border dispute between the two neighboring states.
They discussed concerns about mutual links and actions to team up on oil exploration close to the inter-state border.
Rio revealed that both states have agreed in principle to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding oil exploration in the contested areas along the border between the two states, allowing for the extraction of oil and the sharing of royalties. He further added, “Once it is formalized, there is huge potential for exploration of oil inside Nagaland also. And to move forward as the country needs oil in a big way”.
For a considerable amount of time, no oil exploration activities have been conducted in the State due to a disagreement between the Centre and the state on the issue.
NNPGs and WC have asserted that Assam and Nagaland have no authority to negotiate or make agreements on oil exploitation or any sharing agreement on the disputed border regions. The negotiations on this matter are taking place between WC, NNPGs, and the Government of India.
Indo-Naga talks focus on a core issue, with Gol and Naga negotiators awaiting agreement.
The states of Assam and Nagaland are the only caretaker governments of disputed areas.
Nagas are the sole landowners in the disputed area belt, and they have the right to protect their historical rights over land. Leaders should not take the peaceful situation as an excuse to do anything they want with land and resources. They will be held accountable for any repercussions in the border areas.
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