Nagaland groups oppose Assam-Nagaland oil exploration pact, cite pending Naga political settlement

Kohima, June 12: A conglomerate of Naga political groups has opposed the tripartite agreement between the Centre, Assam and Nagaland for oil and gas exploration along the disputed inter-state border, arguing that any move to exploit natural resources before a final Naga political settlement would violate existing understandings with the Government of India.

The objection comes a day after the governments of Assam and Nagaland signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre to resume exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the long-contested border areas, ending nearly three decades of stalled activity in one of the Northeast’s most resource-rich regions.

In a statement, the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), which are engaged in peace talks with the Centre, said ownership and control over natural resources form a key component of the 2017 “Agreed Position” signed between the two sides.

Quoting provisions of the agreement, the NNPGs said authority over land and natural resources—including minerals, fossil fuels, petroleum and natural gas—would rest with the proposed Nagaland Tatar Hoho (Parliament House), while exploration of radioactive minerals would require joint ventures between the Government of India and a post-settlement Government of Nagaland.

“Unless the Indo-Naga political settlement is officially signed, any attempt to explore natural resources in Naga areas is illegal and against the agreed principles,” the statement said.

Nagaland is estimated to hold around 600 million tonnes of oil and natural gas reserves. However, exploration activities largely came to a halt in the 1990s amid insurgency-related concerns and opposition from local organisations.

According to estimates cited by the groups, Nagaland has been losing about ₹1,825 crore annually in potential oil royalty revenue due to the non-operation of more than 30 oil fields located along the disputed Assam-Nagaland border.

The opposition from the NNPGs adds a fresh political dimension to the Centre’s push to revive hydrocarbon exploration in the region, raising questions over how the project will proceed amid unresolved Naga political negotiations and long-standing boundary disputes.

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