Addressing a consultative meeting on "The Rights of the Nagas on Land and its Resources" here on Tuesday, Rio said, "The Article confers authority to the assembly to make the final decision on these issues. It also makes the assembly the custodian of the Nagas' rights and interests."
Rio said Nagaland has a huge deposit of mineral resources. "If properly exploited, these resources can bring in an economic boom in the state," he said. "The Changpang oil field alone is estimated to have 20 million metric tonnes of crude oil. Oil extraction began in the state in the Sixties. But it was discontinued owing to various factors. Several efforts have been made to resume the exploration, but without much progress substantive progress could be made," Rio regretted.
Addressing the conclave, T R Zeliang, convener of the cabinet sub-committee on petroleum and natural gas and Nagaland planning minister, said, "The government has for the first time started a meaningful consultation with the Naga Hoho and other social organizations on the Nagas' rights of their land and resources."
He added, "On July 26, the assembly unanimously passed a resolution and empowered the Nagas as the masters of their own land and resources. Keeping this in mind, the government has decided that petroleum and natural gas are explored and produced in Nagaland for the benefit of the land owners and the state." Representatives of various tribal Hohos and social organizations also took part in the discussion.