Kohima, Nov. 10: The outlawed NSCN(Isak-Muivah) has warned the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) of dire consequences if it resumes drilling operations in Nagaland.
“Our stand on oil exploration is clear. There are several reasons for the ban,” a senior NSCN (I-M) leader told The Telegraph over phone.
The outfit had issued a similar statement on the “ban” a few days ago, .
Oil exploration in Nagaland has long been the apple of discord between the government and the militant outfit. The issue is back in the news with new oil fields being marked on the state’s map following the Centre’s decision to “open” these for exploration.
The insurgent leader said ONGC should not even think about resuming operations without his outfit’s sanction. “Let them start exploration. We will see,” he said.
Threats from the the NSCN (I-M) and the Khaplang faction had forced ONGC to call a halt to its activities in Nagaland in 1994.
The NSCN (I-M)’s latest outburst is a reaction to a strongly-worded statement issued by the S.C. Jamir government last month.
“Permission for oil exploration (prospecting licence/petroleum exploration licence) and extraction (mining lease) of mineral resources in Nagaland is issued by the state government after following laid down procedures with respect to each mineral. Hence, the question of obtaining permit from any other organisation(s) does not arise. Besides, such interference in disturbing the laid down procedures of the government amounts to violation of the ceasefire ground rules,” the government release said.
There have been allegations against the government about misappropriation of royalty.
Militant outfits are not the only ones who have made these allegations. NGOs and students’ organisations , too, have charged the government with “lack of transparency” in using the royalty received from ONGC.
The state had received Rs 33.83 crore from ONGC by way of royalty for the financial year 1994-95.
The ONGC has drilled 30 oil wells in the Champang area of Wokha district. Of these, only nine wells produced oil. Another four wells in the Chumukidema-Tenyiphe areas and one in Changki had been drilled.
“There was a dispute with landowners from Champang, because of which there was no exploration. But they have, in principle, agreed to the commission announced by the state government,” Tali Temjen Toy, secretary of the geology and mining department, said.
The official said the government was trying to strike a better deal with the Centre this time. “There are new wells in the Champang area waiting to be explored.Approval has already been received from the Centre for a few wells. Only the licensing part has to be finalised.”
