Dimapur, Dec. 19 (EMN): The Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG) on Sunday stated that exploring or extracting petroleum products would be a hindrance to the impending Naga political solution.
While stating that petroleum exploration with any company would not be in the interest of the Naga people, WC-NNPG in a press statement asserted that the ‘special status and privileges of Nagaland state, the identity of the Nagas, as a whole, will be compromised’.
“WC- NNPG is very clear that the long term interest of the Naga people is all that matters. The government of the day must desist from gnawing away at the core issues of Indo-Naga settlement. The time is not right for the state government to frame a policy on extracting petroleum resources. WC- NNPG is very clear that all natural resources belong to the people and will be utilised after the GoI and Nagas officially announce acceptable and honorable political solutions,” read the statement.
While appreciating the state government for acting as facilitators in the Indo-Naga political dialogue, WC-NNPG stated that the ‘focus must continue on facilitating the genuine political transformation, ending the long Indo-Naga conflict through political solution’.
“Exploration of oil and natural gas on the eve of a political solution must be avoided. The Agreed Position signed on 17th November 2017, between the GoI and WC, NNPGs, has sufficient legal and constitutional provisions to safeguard the land, political and historical identity of the Nagas,” it read.
“It is the responsibility of every sensible Naga leader to ensure that future generations do not suffer for the blunders committed today. This is the time to inject great hope and not politically motivated venom into the veins of our people. Nagas must preserve and protect people's natural resources,” it added.