Kohima, March 21: The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) on Friday firmly stated its opposition to the central government’s move to explore petroleum in Nagaland.

Speaking on the occasion of the 46th Republic Day celebration in Hebron, NSCN-IM president Q. Tuccu said, “Our sovereign wealth includes petroleum, coal, chromite, limestone, nickel, cobalt, and other critical minerals that play a vital role in industrial development, including defence. For a long time, the Government of India has cast covetous eyes on our natural wealth, particularly petroleum. However, under no circumstances should we allow our mineral resources to be exploited by an aggressor who refuses to respect the political rights of the Naga people. You must be aware of the new attempt by the Indian government to intrude upon our sovereign ownership rights in the Mokokchung district to explore, drill, and extract petroleum. India is simply testing our resolve without respecting our history and culture.”

He further lauded the Ao Naga community for taking a firm stand against petroleum exploration, stating, “Their stance is an exemplary assertion of Naga national identity, and they have courageously declared that the land belongs to them, not the Indian government.”

Oil India Limited (OIL) holds a 3,000 sq. km exploration area in Nagaland and plans to commence operations once the situation is deemed conducive.

Earlier, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) had halted exploration and production activities in Nagaland in 1994 after the NSCN-IM ordered it to leave the state.

Tuccu also criticized accusations that the NSCN-IM is responsible for delaying a resolution to the Naga political issue. “The real reason for the delay lies with India, and blaming the NSCN makes no political sense. For more than 27 years since Indo-Naga political talks began, India has engaged in divisive politics to keep the Nagas fragmented along factional lines,” he said.

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