The Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) has “outrightly rejected” the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on oil exploration signed on June 11, 2026, by the Nagaland government, Assam government and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, asserting that an acceptable and honorable political solution must precede any extraction of natural resources from Naga areas.
In a statement issued by its Media Cell on Friday, the WC, NNPGs said the “11th June 2026 MOU on Oil exploration signed by Nagaland CM, Assam CM and Petroleum ministry is outrightly rejected.”
The group stated that Naga political negotiators had not authorized any party to enter into agreements concerning natural resources in Naga areas.
“The Naga political negotiators categorically declare that they have not entrusted any entity/party to sign MOU with any state or company with regard to exploration, extraction and transportation of crude oil and other natural resources from ancestral Naga homeland,” it said.
According to the WC, NNPGs, the issue remains a subject of negotiations between the Government of India and Naga political groups.
“It is a negotiated subject matter between GoI and Naga negotiators. Only an acceptable and honorable political solution will enable the first barrel of oil to be extracted,” the statement said.
The WC, NNPGs further argued that “a facilitator in the on-going political talks cannot sign an MOU on mineral resources belonging to the people of Nagaland,” and alleged that the agreement sought to “hijack and undermine the economy and ruin the life line of the people of Nagaland for personal gain/benefits.”
Referring to the long-standing boundary issue between Nagaland and Assam, the group said the Disturbed Area Belt (DAB) “cannot remain unresolved forever” and maintained that “a clear, demarcated boundary between Nagaland and Assam must first be drawn as agreed in principle during the political negotiations.”
“The Nagaland and Assam government must first facilitate and resolve the Indo-Naga issue based on the Agreed Position, to implement the MOU of 11th June 2026,” it added.
The WC, NNPGs also warned that, until then, “MoUs, Joint ventures, profit sharing by business entities in the name of governments will be confronted.”
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The statement came as part of a broader criticism of the Naga People’s Front (NPF), which the WC, NNPGs accused of acting against efforts to reach a political settlement.
“The NPF leadership, erstwhile NDPP, has always been uncomfortable with all these developments. They claim to be facilitators in words yet they have always played the role of active saboteurs,” the statement alleged.
The WC, NNPGs claimed that the NPF leadership had opposed several developments connected to the peace process, including the 2017 visit of members of the Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation (NGBF) to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
It also alleged that the NPF leadership had campaigned for the removal of former interlocutor RN Ravi and described the move as “an act of sabotage” and “the deed of Anti-solution elements.”
The statement further criticized remarks allegedly made against “Fed Up Nagas,” describing the movement as representing “thousands of hungry, weeping, angry jobless, fed-up educated youth” seeking answers about their future.
Calling for greater opportunities for young people, the WC, NNPGs said, “It is high time to encourage and promote the younger generation and educated Naga youths to venture out with broader perspective and rise to meet the global standard rather than pressing young ones at their home without any hope for their future.”
The group maintained that “an acceptable and honorable political solution is the only answer.”
The WC, NNPGs also referred to the BJP-led Government of India, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had consistently reiterated their desire for a permanent and honorable settlement to the Naga political issue.
“As facilitators, Nagaland BJP leadership is expected to play politics of honorable solution and not otherwise. Naga interest is paramount,” the statement added.
