Tripartite oil exploration deal in Assam-Nagaland border faces strong opposition from Naga groups
A tripartite agreement among the central government, Assam, and Nagaland on June 11 to resume oil and gas exploration along the disputed 512-km border between the two states has drawn sharp reactions from extremist organisations in ceasefire and traditional tribe-based bodies. They argue that the centre should first ensure an honourable settlement of the “Indo-Naga political issue” and resolve the boundary dispute before proceeding with exploration.
The agreement, signed by Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, aims to restart exploration in the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) along the border. Exploration in Nagaland, particularly along the resource-rich border with Assam, was halted in the 1990s due to extremism and local opposition. The region is estimated to hold 600 million tonnes of oil and natural gas reserves, with potential to increase India’s onshore oil production by 75%.
Mr. Puri emphasised the importance of the DAB, noting that oil and gas production in Nagaland after 31 years would power the next chapter of India’s energy journey from the northeast, which gave birth to the country’s oil industry. He also highlighted that Nagaland’s hydrocarbon potential in the Naga-Schuppen Belt of the Assam-Arakan Basin would augment production in Assam, which accounts for nearly 22% of India’s crude oil reserves and about 15% of its natural gas reserves.
However, Nagaland-based organisations have expressed strong opposition. The Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPGs), a conglomerate of seven extremist outfits that signed the Agreed Position with the centre in November 2017, stated that the Agreed Position was intended to pave the way for a permanent settlement of the “Indo-Naga political issue”. They reminded the centre of a clause in the Agreed Position that says the Nagaland Tatar Hoho (Members of National Parliament) will legislate on the ownership and transfer of land and its resources, including mines, minerals, oil and natural gas. The WC-NNPGs argued that 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.
On the other hand, organisations of the Lotha and Konyak Nagas have focused on the border dispute, seeking clarity on the DAB and other border issues to safeguard Nagaland’s territorial integrity. The Konyak Union urged the government to address concerns, respect rights, and take consent of landowners before finalising exploration decisions to ensure a fair, transparent, and acceptable outcome for all stakeholders.
Similar reactions were seen in April 2023 when Mr. Sarma and Mr. Rio agreed in principle to facilitate oil and gas exploration along the disputed interstate border. The opposition highlights the deep-seated political and territorial issues that remain unresolved despite the tripartite agreement.
