Nagaland CM on Assam’s oil exploration bid in DAB

Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 24

With Assam making a serious move to begin petroleum exploration in the disputed Assam-Nagaland inter-state border, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was queried on the Nagaland state government’s stand. 

Rio told the media on January 24, on the sideline of a public function, that there is consensus between the two neighbouring states for equal sharing of revenue from petroleum extracted from contested areas. The contested areas, in this context, imply the Disputed Area Belt (DAB).

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has approved exploratory drilling by Assam on a site in the DAB, which falls in between Mokokchung and Jorhat districts of the two states. It is adjacent to Vikuto, Akahuto and Akatitu villages. Assam claims it is part of the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. 

He was not clear on whether the Nagaland state government would protest the current move by the Assam government. 

On the undisputed Nagaland side, he said, “It is up to us, whether we want to utilise our resources or keep it like that.” According to him, Nagaland should start exploration and extraction. 



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