Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 19
Against the backdrop of the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Lotha Hoho in the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench challenging the constitutional validity of the Nagaland Petroleum & Natural Gas (PNG) Regulations 2012 and Nagaland PNG Rules 2012, an emergent consultation was held between the Nagaland Petroleum and Natural Gas (NPNG) Board and mass based civil societies of Nagaland on Monday at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima.
The house discussed at length the consequences of the PIL filed by the Lotha Hoho in regard to PNG operations in the state, and also noted with deep concern the adverse impact of the PIL on the operation of Article 371A (1)(a) of the Constitution of India and its damaging effect on the said Article undermining the interests of all Nagas.
Participants also reiterated the resolution of the July 12, 2013 consultative meeting of the state government and state level political parties, all MLAs, MPs, Tribal Hohos and civil societies of Nagaland on the issue of the right to regulate the mining of petroleum and natural gas in Nagaland as guaranteed under Article 371A of the Constitution of India.
Naga Hoho president, Chuba Ozukum said the Hoho during its recent federal assembly thoroughly deliberated and resolved to uphold the Nagaland Legislative Assembly resolution on Nagaland PNG.
“This is not a new issue for us. Our predecessors have already endorsed and had given the consent to go ahead in framing the rules and regulations of NPNG, and we are here to reaffirm the stand of our predecessors,” he said. He also expressed dismay that by filing the PIL, the Lotha Hoho is challenging the rights of the Naga people.
Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) president, Khoiwang Konyak reminded that “our forefathers had worked very hard to give us the Article 371A, strongly protecting our customary laws and our people.”
In matters of extraction of natural resources in the state, he maintained that revenue which has eluded the Nagas and the Nagaland government so far needs to be addressed, however he asserted that the PIL filed by the Lotha Hoho should immediately be withdrawn if it is impinging on the right of the Naga people in any way.
“It is unfortunate to learn that some of our Lotha brothers are trying to cast the Article 371A. The ENPO will never surrender this Article,” He stated.
“The Naga mothers are not against or opposed to any kind of exploration or development, but we would like to make a fervent appeal like we have during the last consultative meeting, to the state government to amend the land ownership and land acquisition act so that the rights of the people are protected,” Lochumbeni Humtsoe, secretary of Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) said.
She also termed it unfortunate that the Lotha Hoho has filed a PIL in the court, and further conveyed that the NMA suggests that the state government have a separate sitting with the Lotha Hoho so that all misunderstandings are ruled out.
Representatives from Zeliangrong Baudi (Nagaland), Rengma Hoho, Ao Senden, Naga Students’ Federation, Naga Council, department of Geology & Mining, and Changpang landowners also voiced concern at the move of the Lotha Hoho.
The unanimous contention is that, when all the stakeholders are a part of the regulations and development relating to PNG in the state, any lacunae should be consulted with the Nagas instead of going to court and threaten the “very basis of our existence” by sabotaging the provisions of the Article 371A.
Although the Sumi Hoho and the Chakhesang Public Organization officials did not attend the meeting “owing to prior tribal engagement”, a participant conveyed that they are also in favour of appealing to the Lotha Hoho to withdraw the PIL.
After thorough deliberation, the house viewed with seriousness that a very section of the Nagas themselves has chosen to “mount an assault on the hard earned Constitutional guarantees of the Nagas”, and has resolved to uphold and reiterate the resolution passed at the “Consultative Meeting of Nagaland Government with the State Level Political Parties, all MLAs, MPs, Tribal Hohos and Civil Societies of Nagaland on the issue of the right to regulate the mining of petroleum and natural gas in Nagaland as guaranteed under Article 371-A of the Constitution of India” held at the Capital Convention Centre on 12th July 2013.
The house also appealed to the Lotha Hoho to take immediate steps to withdraw the PIL in the greater interest of the Nagas in the light of the above, and to recommend to the state government to take steps to hold consultations with the Lotha Hoho to bring about an amicable settlement of the matter at the earliest.
It also resolved that as and wherever necessary, the state government should effect changes in the State Legal Framework on the PNG to address the concerns of all stakeholders in the interest of all Nagas.
The resolution was further endorsed by the principal secretary & Nagaland Petroleum Gas Board chairman, Temjen Toy, Naga Hoho president P Chuba Ozukum, ENPO president Khoiwang Konyak, NSF president Subenthung Kithan, and NMA secretary Lochumbeni Humtsoe.
The panellists included principal secretary & NPNG Board chairman Temjen Toy, secretary Justice & Law KN Chishi, secretary Geology & Mining and NPNG Board member secretary Bendang Longchari.
