Dimapur, July 18 (MExN): The Central Nagaland Tribal Council (CNTC) has urged Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio to immediately suspend all ongoing oil drilling activities in the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) until the boundary is officially demarcated and all stakeholders are consulted.
In a representation submitted to the Chief Minister, the CNTC said no exploration work should continue in the DAB “until the issue is resolved amicably through mutual consultation,” while welcoming the state government's broader decision to launch petroleum exploration in Nagaland.
“The Central Nagaland Tribal Council (CNTC) welcomes the Government of Nagaland's decision to initiate petroleum exploration in the State, recognising its potential to contribute to economic growth, employment generation, infrastructure development, and the overall progress of Nagaland,” the CNTC said, adding that the process must be “lawful, transparent, consultative and environmentally responsible.”
The organisation, headed by President Hukiye Yepthomi and General Secretary Akum Pongen, listed five demands before the state government.
Clear, official demarcation of DAB
The first is clear identification and official demarcation of the DAB, the area where oil exploration has been proposed. The CNTC said the absence of an officially demarcated area “has created uncertainty and apprehension among the affected communities regarding the actual location and extent of the proposed exploration activities.”
A clearly defined boundary was “indispensable to ensure transparency, prevent future disputes, safeguard the rights and interests of the affected landowners and villages, and facilitate informed decision-making by all stakeholders,” it said.
Consultative meeting
Second, the body called for a “comprehensive consultative meeting” involving affected landowners, village councils, tribal hohos, civil society organisations, public representatives, experts and all other concerned stakeholders before any drilling proceeds.
Such a meeting, it said, should take up the legal and policy framework governing exploration, ownership and customary rights over land and resources, environmental safeguards, rehabilitation and compensation, benefit-sharing arrangements, employment for local youth, dispute-resolution mechanisms, and long-term monitoring, regulatory oversight and accountability. It stated that such a consultative process would ensure transparency, protect the rights and interests of all stakeholders, foster mutual trust and cooperation, and facilitate the formulation of a sustainable and mutually acceptable framework for oil exploration and development within the State.
“A participatory and transparent consultative process will promote public confidence, minimize future conflicts, and ensure that development proceeds with the informed consent and cooperation of all concerned,” the CNTC said.
Oil refinery in Nagaland
Third, the body pressed for setting up at least one oil refinery within Nagaland, arguing that “extraction of petroleum resources without corresponding downstream industrial infrastructure would deprive the State of substantial long-term economic benefits.”
A refinery would generate substantial long-term socio-economic and industrial benefits by creating direct and indirect employment opportunities for the people of Nagaland across the petroleum and allied sectors, it said. The value addition from the state’s petroleum resources should “primarily benefit the people of Nagaland,” the CNTC said.
The CNTC asked that a refinery be made “an integral component of the State's petroleum development policy.”
Suspension of drilling activities
Fourth, the body sought suspension of drilling “by Assam Counterpart” within the DAB pending compliance with legal, administrative, environmental and consultative requirements.
No exploration should resume, it said, until the area is officially demarcated, statutory approvals and legal requirements are complied with, environmental assessments and safeguards are completed, stakeholder consultations are held, and a mutually agreed framework on exploration, environmental protection, equitable benefit-sharing, the recognition and protection of customary land and natural resource rights is finalised by all parties.
“Proceeding with exploration activities without fulfilling these prerequisites may give rise to avoidable disputes, public unrest, legal complications, and the erosion of public confidence in the decision-making process,” the CNTC said.
Compliance with environmental laws
Fifth, the organisation sought strict compliance with environmental laws and standards were undertaken, including measures to prevent pollution and protect forests, water sources, agricultural land and biodiversity. “Continuous environmental monitoring and timely restoration of any environmental damage should also be ensured to safeguard the interests of present and future generations,” it said.
The CNTC said it was making the representation “in the larger interest of justice, transparency, sustainable development, environmental protection, and the welfare of the people of Nagaland,” and expressed hope the government would “appreciate the concerns of the CNTC in their proper perspective and act in the best interest of the people.”
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