Konyak Union seeks border settlement before Assam-Nagaland oil exploration

Kohima, July 14: The Konyak Union (KU) has urged the Nagaland government not to proceed with the proposed Assam-Nagaland oil exploration project until long-pending border disputes are resolved, warning that moving ahead without clear territorial demarcation could trigger fresh conflicts.

The demand was made during a joint meeting of the KU Advisory Board Council and Executive Council, where the organisation reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on oil and natural gas exploration signed by the governments of Assam and Nagaland in New Delhi on June 11 in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The tripartite agreement between the Centre, Assam and Nagaland aims to facilitate joint exploration of hydrocarbon resources in the disputed border blocks while establishing a framework for cooperation and revenue sharing. The agreement is widely seen as a significant step towards unlocking the region’s energy potential, although several civil society organisations have called for caution until boundary issues are settled.

The Konyak Union said unresolved disputes in the Tizit-Naginimora belt and along the boundary between Longwa in Nagaland’s Mon district and Pongchao in Arunachal Pradesh’s Longding district must be addressed before exploration begins to prevent future disputes.

The organisation also stressed that the rights, consent and concerns of indigenous landowners should be taken into account before any final decision is made, saying meaningful stakeholder participation is essential for a fair and transparent process.

The issue has also drawn attention from the Lotha Lower Range Public Organisation (LLRPO), which has similarly sought clarity on the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) and other unresolved boundary issues, arguing that territorial concerns should be settled before major resource projects move forward.

The KU further alleged that Google Maps continues to inaccurately depict parts of Nagaland’s boundaries in Mon district and warned that overlapping territorial representations with neighbouring Assam and Arunachal Pradesh could create confusion and fuel tensions.

The union recalled submitting a memorandum to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in September 2024 seeking correction of boundary discrepancies but claimed it has yet to receive a response.

It also renewed its demand for stronger border infrastructure, including additional police check gates and security establishments along Nagaland’s inter-state and international borders to improve border management and curb illegal cross-border activities.

Reaffirming its commitment to a peaceful and lasting solution, the Konyak Union urged the state government to resolve the border disputes before implementing the Assam-Nagaland oil exploration project.

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