KOHIMA : The Nagaland government has reviewed issues concerning oil exploration, landowners’ rights, the proposed Foothill Road and the state’s response to floods and landslides, Minister Temjen Imna Along said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a BJP programme here, Along described the Cabinet meeting held in Wokha on August 6 as “historic” and said several key decisions were taken.

On oil exploration along the Assam-Nagaland border, Along said the government was focused on protecting the rights and concerns of landowners and other affected stakeholders.

“The Cabinet is of the view that all concerns have to be addressed in every way,” he said.

His remarks came amid calls from civil society groups for affected villages and other stakeholders to be consulted before oil exploration activities are taken forward.

Referring to concerns raised by the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC), he said stakeholders in border areas affected by oil exploration would have to be taken into consideration.

A tripartite MoU between the government of India, Assam and Nagaland was signed in New Delhi on June 11. It concerns facilitating mineral-oil operations, including exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, in the Assam-Nagaland border areas.

On the Foothill Road, Along said discussions with the Centre, including the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, were also taken up.

He referred to the ongoing issue over the proposed 30-metre, 18-metre and 12-metre road widths, describing the project as a potential lifeline for Nagaland’s economic resurgence.

On the flood and landslide situation, Along said the immediate priority was to help affected people return to normal life.

“Politics is one thing,” he said, stressing that the government was responsible for helping people get back on their feet.

Several parts of Nagaland, including Mon, Tuli and areas of Tuensang, have been badly affected by landslides and house collapses, with loss of lives reported, he said.

Addressing disruption to education caused by the adverse weather, Along said efforts were on to restore normalcy and minimise the impact on academic sessions.

“We cannot fight against nature,” he said, adding that the situation required greater preparedness and measures to mitigate the impact of similar events in future. (Source: PTI)