KOHIMA, MARCH 1 (MExN): The Kohima Lotha Hoho has decided not to allow the Metropolitan Oil and Gas Pvt. Ltd. (MOGPL) to operate in Wokha District as it “utterly falls short of credibility.” Also reiterating its earlier stand, which has been placed before the Government of Nagaland, the Hoho stated that “License must be issued for a contiguous area and not on pattern as reported,” and that a Licensee for Wokha District must “abide by the traditional and customary practices of the Lotha people.” This was decided following an emergency meeting of the Kohima Lotha Hoho held on March 1 to discuss the reported decision of the State Government to issue “licenses to Oil Companies.” This was informed through a press release from the Hoho’s vice chairman, Jonas Yanthan, and general secretary, Thunglamo Ovung. In addition, the Kohima Lotha Hoho extended its appreciation to the Nagaland Post for its “positive and investigative journalism which enables and empowers the people to arrive at a beneficial and honourable decision.” It appreciated the “action and voice of the Lower Lotha Oil & Mineral Bearing Zone Association for making the State Government and the people to know the mind and position of the affected people.” The House also discussed the consequences in the event of Wokha Oil Fields being given to companies of ill repute which lie exposed and are entangled in court litigations.
