I-M makes its stand clear on oil exploration
IMPHAL, Jun 30: Making its stand clear on the oil exploration, NSCN (I-M) has stated that it was in the year 1994 when NSCN stopped ONGC operation in Nagalim to drive home the point that NSCN’s level of tolerance did not cover economic exploitation of any form and that economic exploitation under the garb of economic development will not be allowed to take place.
In a statement, ministry of information and publicity of the outfit asserted that when Nagas’s political right has been suppressed and denied for nearly 60 years further provocation and exploitation will have to be questioned from the Nagas’ historical perspective. Anything of exploration of Nagas’ natural resources before the political settlement of Indo-Naga issues is to be interpreted as ‘economic exploitation’.
Politics and economics are two subjects very dear to the Nagas and these two cannot be separated, the NSCN (I-M) said adding that political development when not moving ahead at the expected speed should not be preceded by exploitation of the mineral resou- rces under the pretext of economic development.
The statement pointed out that the GPRN under the ministry of forest, environment and mineral has alrea- dy clarified that as far as economic resources is concern what is on the ground ,above the ground and under the ground belongs to the people. In this context, article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution should not be interpreted to go again the Nagas’ economic right. Nagas’ economic right shall be exploited by Naga people’s full consent but only after getting the deserved treatment on the Nagas’ political right under the domi- nant Government of India.
GPRN fully agrees that the Canada-based company CANORO Resources Limited’s argument that oil exploration in Nagalim will bring economic development. But the undeniable reality is that the Canadian company has come to Nagalim at the wrong time, Our message is ‘Please come back when the right time comes’. This is to defend CANORO’s reputa- tion and not to be a part of the exploitative mindset of the Government of India’s oil giant ONGC. Under the present political scenario when Indo-Naga political negotiation is going on, the Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio should have exercise the courtesy of inviting NSCN in the meeting participated by ONGC, CANORO Resources Limited, Geology and Mining. Where is his respect for the NSCN that enjoys Naga people’s mandate to settle the Nagas’ political issues ?, it questioned.
The statement categorically stated that there will come a time, provided a correct political situation is created when GPRN will invite ONGC and other foreign companies for oil exploration in the interest of Nagalim’s economic development.
But till such time comes ONGC and CANORO should keep their hands off Nagalim. One nation’s economic interest should not be the basis to make roughshod of Naga’s God given over its natural resources, the statement said.

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