No entity can rob Kyong’s resources: KSU tells govt
EMN
DIMAPUR, JULY 21
A furious Kyong Students’ Union (KSU) on Monday issued a strong warning to government of Nagaland for using force on locals and volunteers who were protesting the launch of the murky Metropolitan Oil and Gas Private Limited (MOGPL) in Champang on July 21.
The KSU has warned that no entity will ‘rob’ the Kyong Nagas or their resources; any attempt to do so would invite befitting retaliation, the KSU has stated even as it informed that the next course of response would be decided. The influential students’ organization issued a warning to the TR Zeliang-led government on July 21, for going ahead with a policy for petroleum exploration which the local people are still strongly resisting as a sell-out of the local people and their land resources.
The KSU boycotted the launch of the MOGPL held in Changpang oil field. “More than 300 volunteers responded to the call made by the union however many volunteers, including some office bearers were prevented from reaching the spot by Nagaland police due to the imposition of the Section 144 Crpc by the Nagaland government,” the students stated in a press release to the media on Monday.
Not to be outdone, the organization’s volunteers prevented directors of the MOGPL Sameer Rajpal and Vishal Rastogi, and Krishna Kumar, advisor from attending the launching program. In a strange development, the advisor of MOGPL Krishna Kumar is said to have claimed to be an advisor of the Zeliangrong Baudi of Nagaland, Assam and Manipur.
The union has strongly denounced in strongest terms the imposition of the 144 Crpc as well as “rampant harassment” and assault of the students’ leaders and non-violent volunteers by Nagaland Police ‘under the instruction of the government of Nagaland.’
The president of the KSU was manhandled by NAP personnel in the presence of SDPO and Addl. SP of Wokha while five volunteers of the organizations were ‘severely assaulted’ by Nagaland police, the KSU stated. The organization has asked the state government to immediately compensate the injured volunteers’ medical expenses.
“KSU further warns that any forceful attempt to rob the Lothas through unscrupulous means shall be resisted and reaffirms to stick to its earlier resolutions with regard to the allotment of permit to MOGPL,” the organization has stated. “The union shall decide its further course of action in the next assembly meeting and shall respond befittingly to the highhandedness of the government towards peaceful protestors.”
Kohima Lotha Hoho condemns
Meanwhile, Kohima Lotha Hoho, (KLH) strongly condemned the way in which launching of the oil exploration at Changpang, under Wokha district was organized today. “No Democratic Government will force any development on its people despite reasonable objection raised from any quarter of the society. The function held by using State forces and machinery with an intention to bulldoze a Government development programme on a people raises an eye-brow for any sensible public. The deliberate use of force against Kyong Students’ Union volunteers who were expressing for a legitimate right for public interest is an insult to all right-thinking people in general and Student community in particular,” stated a release issued by KLH chairman Nchumbemo Tungoe and general secretary Thunglamo Ovung.
The Hoho pointed out that KSU volunteers who were lathi-charged with further intensity even after the function and departure of the VIPs, were in protest against the credibility of Metropolitan Oil & Gas Private Company (MOGPL) to whom the task of exploitation and exploration of oil in Nagaland has been awarded,” It said that MOGPL had never performed oil drilling activity anywhere in the country nor at the international arena and is also known to be bankrupt and facing various litigations.
Stating that the decision of the Government to go ahead hurriedly in the exploitation work with the use of brute force was highly questionable for all Nagas, the release maintained, KSU had decided for democratic protest but the Government instead of taking up the matter democratically across the table decided and went ahead with their programme by using Nagaland Police force who way-laid them in a jungle area of the District highway between Baghty and Bhandari town which was barbaric. The Hoho appreciated the Kyong Students’ Union for boldly taking up the important issue with a sense of maturity and sacrifice.
Kohima Lotha Hoho had been in protest against the Modalities on Petroleum &Natural Gas and its Rules and Regulation which infringe on the customary ownership rights of the people guaranteed under the Article 371(A) of the Constitution, stated the release while appealing different tribal organizations in the State to seriously take up the issue for protection of inalienable Naga customary rights over land its resources.
