A separatist group in restive northeast on Wednesday warned Canadian and Indian oil firms against carrying out exploration work in the region.
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-S.S. Khaplang faction), which is fighting for an independent tribal homeland for Nagas, threatened Canoro Resources Ltd and India's Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) with unspecified "action" if they start exploration work.
"We shall not allow any oil companies to extract crude or carry out other exploratory works in Nagaland without our permission," rebel spokesman Kughalo Mulatonu told AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location in the state.
The two companies have signed a Joint Study Agreement (JSA) for exploration, development, and production activities in six blocks in Nagaland.
"It is in the interest of the Naga people that we are taking such a step. Any attempt to violate our diktat would be dealt with sternly," the spokesman said.
Five of the six blocks are for exploration and the other a producing block at Changpang -- a field where ONGC suspended operations in 1994 following threats from Naga rebels. Changpang is expected to produce 1,000 barrels per day of crude. Rough estimates indicate that Nagaland has the potential to yield some 600 million tones of petroleum. The ONGC, India's premier oil exploration firm, withdrew from Nagaland in 1994 after rebel threats.
"We are committed to giving adequate security and protection to the oil companies," a senior police official said, asking not to be named.
More than 30 rebel armies operate in India's seven northeastern states, with demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy and self-determination.
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-S.S. Khaplang faction), which is fighting for an independent tribal homeland for Nagas, threatened Canoro Resources Ltd and India's Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) with unspecified "action" if they start exploration work.
"We shall not allow any oil companies to extract crude or carry out other exploratory works in Nagaland without our permission," rebel spokesman Kughalo Mulatonu told AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location in the state.
The two companies have signed a Joint Study Agreement (JSA) for exploration, development, and production activities in six blocks in Nagaland.
"It is in the interest of the Naga people that we are taking such a step. Any attempt to violate our diktat would be dealt with sternly," the spokesman said.
Five of the six blocks are for exploration and the other a producing block at Changpang -- a field where ONGC suspended operations in 1994 following threats from Naga rebels. Changpang is expected to produce 1,000 barrels per day of crude. Rough estimates indicate that Nagaland has the potential to yield some 600 million tones of petroleum. The ONGC, India's premier oil exploration firm, withdrew from Nagaland in 1994 after rebel threats.
"We are committed to giving adequate security and protection to the oil companies," a senior police official said, asking not to be named.
More than 30 rebel armies operate in India's seven northeastern states, with demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy and self-determination.
Via| The India Economic Times
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