The Naga National Political Groups (NNPG), consisting of seven Naga organizations, have voiced their opposition to the recent tripartite agreement signed by the Centre, Assam, and Nagaland. The agreement aims to facilitate mineral oil operations in the border regions between Assam and Nagaland. The NNPG emphasized that any exploration or extraction of natural resources in Naga areas before a formal political settlement is reached would violate the agreed principles.
In a ceremony attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in New Delhi to enable mineral oil activities in the Assam-Nagaland boundary areas. The agreement, supported by Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, is expected to create new opportunities for oil and natural gas exploration. It is seen as a step towards realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a prosperous Northeast.
The NNPG referenced a 2017 agreement that highlights the importance of ownership and control over natural resources in Naga territories. The group stressed that any efforts to exploit these resources before a formal political resolution would be considered illegal. The NNPG also raised concerns about revenue-sharing arrangements related to Nagaland’s resources, questioning their fairness and impact on the broader Naga population.
Union Home Minister Shah expressed optimism about the agreement’s potential to significantly boost oil extraction capacity in the region. He emphasized the importance of cooperation between Assam and Nagaland in supporting India’s oil exploration initiatives. The NNPG reiterated its stance that no company should extract petroleum reserves from Naga lands until a political settlement is reached, emphasizing the need for mutual respect and collaboration.
