Dimapur, August 29: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday called for an “open-minded” approach towards the state’s natural resources, stating that Nagaland remains economically dependent despite having significant deposits of petroleum, natural gas and minerals, including cobalt, nickel and potentially rare earth elements.
Speaking at the two-day national seminar on the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873, organised by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) at Town Hall, Dimapur, Rio said resource extraction has remained stalled amid unresolved Naga political issues. He said the state has already signed an MoU with the Union Petroleum Ministry for exploration and development, but operations have faced resistance. Referring to petroleum operations along the Assam-Nagaland border, he said extraction continued on the Assam side while operations in Nagaland were halted, recalling oil leakage at Champang after operations stopped in the 1990s.
“We are rich, but we remain poor,” Rio said, stressing the need to look beyond political issues and focus on economic development. He also called for dialogue among all stakeholders, greater attention to Article 371A safeguards and proper implementation of the BEFR.
Senior Supreme Court advocate Eno Prashant Bhushan questioned the need for ILP and other restrictions on the movement of Indian citizens, arguing that such systems could deepen divisions. Referring to constitutional rights to freedom of movement and protection of culture, he questioned whether cultural safeguards should require restrictions such as ILP. He also advocated greater decentralisation of power and shared his view that advanced artificial intelligence could eventually reduce national and internal boundaries and promote greater cooperation.
Meanwhile, NSF President Eno Mteisuding said the seminar was “one of its kind” and could bring change to Naga society. Clarifying that the NSF’s ILP demand is not against non-Nagas, he said it is aimed at protecting Naga identity, culture and rights. He urged the government to ensure a smooth and friendly ILP process and, in the presence of the Chief Minister, called for ILP enforcement across the entire state of Nagaland.
The NSF also submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday, reiterating its concerns and demands regarding ILP implementation.
