Oil exploration in Nagaland after public consultations, says CM Rio

KOHIMA: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio announced plans for oil exploration in the state following consultations with the public.

Speaking on the side-lines of the assembly session, Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio emphasized the necessity of initiating oil exploration, citing the state's continued economic challenges despite its abundant mineral resources.

Earlier, Tokheho Yepthomi, the sole Lok Sabha MP from Nagaland, expressed concern that some individuals in Delhi were deliberately prolonging the resolution of the Naga political issue to facilitate arrangements for oil extraction along the Assam-Nagaland border.

Yepthomi highlighted that soon, 64% of India’s oil production would originate from Northeast states, excluding Nagaland from this significant development.

He added that the ongoing Indo-Naga talks have halted oil exploration in Nagaland.

“Whilst our neighbours make economic progress at a blistering pace, we Nagas have stifled development on the pretext of Article 371-A and the political negotiations,” he said.

“Whatever justification we give for the inability and incapacity to keep pace with development and economic growth with the rest of the country and world is because of the unresolved political issue and the use of money power in all walks of life,” he said.

Yepthomi noted that among the 35 oil fields situated along the Nagaland-Assam border, seven, namely Champang, Hozukhe, Nikihe, Pishikhu, Tokishe, Khoponala, and Toshezu, are located within Nagaland.