Nagaland Cabinet stresses landowners’ rights in oil exploration, while Along highlights Foothill Road, FNTA and flood-related concerns
KOHIMA — Nagaland’s Cabinet has asserted that the interests of the state and its people, including landowners, must be protected in matters concerning oil exploration and extraction, Minister for Higher Education and Tourism Temjen Imna Along said on Monday.
Briefing journalists on the sidelines of an event in Kohima about the Cabinet meeting held at Doyang in Wokha on August 6, Along described it as a “historic” meeting where various issues concerning the state were deliberated upon.
On oil exploration, he said the Cabinet was of the view that the concerns of all stakeholders must be addressed comprehensively, with particular attention to landowners and their rights.
Along said the government was aware of concerns raised by stakeholders, particularly villages outside the Disturbed Area Belt (DAB) that could be directly affected by exploration and extraction activities.
He maintained that oil exploration should not be pursued solely in the interest of Assam government, asserting that the interests of Nagaland must come first.
According to Along, the Rio-led Cabinet was asserting these concerns in discussions involving the governments of India, Assam and Nagaland, with the objective of arriving at a “win-win situation”.
He also referred to the support extended by the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) to the government’s decision on oil exploration and extraction, saying the government understood the concerns of different stakeholders.
Along expressed hope that civil society organisations and community leaders would recognise the government’s efforts to safeguard the state’s interests.
Foothill Road, FNTA
The minister also highlighted the latest developments concerning the Foothill Road, including discussions with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways over proposed road specifications of 13 metres, 18 metres and 12 metres.
He described the Foothill Road as a potential lifeline for Nagaland’s economic resurgence.
Asked about the upcoming Assembly session and whether it would focus primarily on the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), Along said the issue would certainly be deliberated upon.
However, he said the list of proceedings had not yet been published or made known, adding that the Assembly speaker and chief minister would be in a better position to comment on the agenda.
On remarks made by the Assam government regarding the flood situation and alleged coal mining, Along said the state government and Cabinet were aware of the views expressed by various leaders.
He said the immediate responsibility of the government was to help people affected by the prevailing situation get back on their feet.
Pointing to the situation in Mon, Tuli, parts of Tuensang and other affected areas, Along said recurring landslides and house collapses had caused extensive damage and loss of lives.
He said views expressed by political leaders could be considered, but the government could not respond to every statement or bring every such matter before the Cabinet.
Along urged people to seek facts before forming opinions, saying freedom of expression should be accompanied by reliance on facts rather than opinion.
On the closure of schools and educational institutions in Mon and other affected areas due to adverse weather, Along said the government was aware of the situation and officials were working to restore normalcy.
He said the government could not control nature or the unexpected intensity of rainfall, but the situation should be treated as a learning experience for improving preparedness.
Along said the government would need to deliberate and plan appropriate measures to prevent or mitigate the impact of similar situations in the future.
He maintained that preparedness measures had been in place, but the intensity of the rainfall and its impact had not been anticipated.