Kohima/Dimapur, Feb. 26: The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is once again on the verge of skidding on an oil slick of controversy in Nagaland. A powerful tribal organisation has put its foot down on exploration plans by the oil and gas major, accusing it of deception.
The Lotha Hoho, representing the Lotha tribe that dominates Wokha district, said the company had not fulfilled its promises and so would not be allowed to set foot in the district, said to have substantial oil reserves. ONGC had earlier carried out exploration in Wokha.
?The ONGC did not live up to its word,? Hoho president Nyanbemo Ngullie said over telephone from Wokha. ?They had promised to adopt Champang village but they never did,? he claimed. The influential Naga Students? Federation (NSF), too, has supported the decision of the Lotha Hoho.
NSF president Achumbemo Kikon insisted that any new deal for oil exploration in Nagaland would have to take into account the revenue the state had earned from the ONGC as royalty for oil exploration earlier.
Earlier this month, chief minister Neiphiu Rio visited Merapani and several villages in the area for convincing residents to allow oil exploration in the area. The disputed areas in Nagaland, with significant oil potential, come within Wokha.
Ngullie, however, said his tribe had no reservations about allowing any other company to explore the region. The chief minister had said earlier that some Canadian oil companies were also bidding for exploration rights and were ready for a ?partnership?.
The Hoho has also warned that other companies, too, would have to adhere to the ?provisions of the Constitution? if they want to work. The Rio government has lobbied hard to revive oil exploration.