The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has expressed concern over delays in implementing key political agreements and demanded greater transparency on issues affecting the state’s future, including the proposed resumption of oil and gas exploration along the Assam-Nagaland border.
At a meeting held at Congress Bhavan in Kohima on Thursday (June 25), the PAC NPCC unanimously adopted a three-point resolution addressing the Naga political issue, the proposed Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), and the recent tripartite memorandum of understanding on hydrocarbon exploration.
On the Naga political issue, the PAC NPCC took “serious note” of the delay in implementing the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position by the Government of India. It also questioned the state government’s demand for appointing a political interlocutor at the ministerial level, stating that such a move “will only turn the clock back to where it started.”
The PAC NPCC urged the Centre to “show its commitment and sincerity to the people of Nagaland and implement the political solution that will be honorable and acceptable for all those yearning for peace and development.”
The committee also termed the delay in implementing the tripartite memorandum of agreement for the creation of the FNTA as “unacceptable.” It held both the Union and state governments responsible for issues that have emerged after the signing of the agreement and called on them to resolve all contentious matters without further delay.
“We therefore urge both the Union and the State Government to show its sincerity and urgency by resolving the contentious issues without further delay and fulfill the aspirations of the people under ENPO areas,” the resolution stated.
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The PAC further voiced concern over the recent tripartite MoU signed by the governments of Assam and Nagaland under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs to restart crude oil and natural gas exploration in the disputed border belt.
While acknowledging that oil exploration activities are necessary considering the “deplorable state” of Nagaland’s economy, the committee said the decision to keep the contents of the agreement away from public scrutiny had raised doubts among the people.
The PAC demanded that the contents of the MoU be made public and cautioned that “any sellout of our rights over land ownership and revenue will not be acceptable.”
The resolutions were adopted by a committee comprising NPCC Working Presidents Khriedi Theunuo and C Apok Jamir, Vice President Capt GK Zhimomi, and General Secretary N Yona Konyak.
