Kohima, June 20, 2026: The Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) has strongly defended the concerns of unemployed Naga youth and rejected the June 11, 2026 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on oil exploration signed between the Governments of Nagaland and Assam and the Union Petroleum Ministry.
In a statement issued on June 19, the WC, NNPGs questioned whether it was wrong for "thousands of hungry, weeping, angry, jobless and frustrated educated youth" to raise their voices and seek attention amid growing hopelessness.
The group criticized the leadership of the Naga People's Front (NPF) for allegedly mocking the "Fed Up Nagas" movement and accused a legislator of labeling the group as having ulterior motives. According to the NNPGs, such remarks have eroded public trust and ignored the frustrations of educated Naga youth who are demanding accountability and answers.
The statement described "Fed Up Nagas" as a reflection of public dissatisfaction with decades of political mismanagement. It urged leaders to encourage and empower the younger generation to pursue broader opportunities and compete globally rather than leaving them without hope for the future. The organization maintained that an acceptable and honorable political solution remains the only answer to the concerns of Naga youth.
Addressing the oil exploration issue, the WC, NNPGs categorically rejected the MOU signed on June 11, 2026. The group asserted that Naga political negotiators had not authorized any government, organization, or company to enter into agreements concerning the exploration, extraction, or transportation of crude oil and other natural resources from ancestral Naga lands.
The NNPGs stated that matters relating to natural resources remain part of ongoing negotiations between the Government of India and Naga political groups. It argued that no oil extraction should begin until an acceptable and honorable political settlement is reached. The statement further contended that facilitators involved in the political dialogue do not have the authority to sign agreements concerning mineral resources belonging to the people of Nagaland.
The organization alleged that the MOU could undermine the Naga economy and weaken the interests of the people of Nagaland. It also emphasized that the long-standing Disturbed Area Belt (DAB) issue between Nagaland and Assam must be resolved through a clearly demarcated boundary as agreed in principle during political negotiations.
According to the NNPGs, both the Nagaland and Assam governments should first facilitate the resolution of the Indo-Naga political issue based on the Agreed Position before implementing the oil exploration agreement. Until then, the group warned that MoUs, joint ventures, and profit-sharing arrangements involving business entities and governments would face opposition.
The statement further claimed that exploiting natural resources without resolving the political issue would amount to sabotaging the Naga peace process and violating agreed negotiation terms. It added that this position is consistent with past resolutions adopted by apex Naga tribal bodies, student organizations, village authorities, and the general public.
The WC, NNPGs also referred to the role of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a partner in Nagaland's opposition-less government. It noted that BJP leaders in the state have repeatedly expressed support for an acceptable and honorable political solution in line with the aspirations of the Naga people.
The group pointed out that the Prime Minister of India and the Union Home Minister have consistently reiterated their commitment to achieving lasting peace through a negotiated political settlement. It urged the BJP leadership in Nagaland to remain committed to facilitating an honorable solution and stressed that Naga interests must remain paramount.
The statement was issued by the Media Cell of the Working Committee, NNPGs, a conglomeration of eleven Naga political groups.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments not related to the topic will be removed immediately.