Newly appointed executive members of the LLRPO in Wokha on June 19.
Wokha, June 20 (MExN): The Lotha Lower Range Public Organisation (LLRPO), representing 35 villages under the Lower Range area of Wokha district, has constituted a new Executive Council for the 2026-2029 tenure during its General Assembly.
The newly elected office-bearers are Dr Khonsao Alex as president, Yansathung Jami as vice president, Er Yanpvuo Kikon as general secretary, Zathungo Yanthan as assistant general secretary, Shanchothung Odyuo as finance secretary, Mhomo Kikon as treasurer, and Enoch Kithan as information and publicity secretary.
The House expressed confidence that the new team would provide visionary leadership and work collectively for the socio-economic advancement, resource management and overall welfare of the Lower Range region and the wider Naga society.
The Assembly also deliberated on several issues concerning the Lower Range area and Nagaland.
On hydrocarbon resources, the House took cognisance of the recent Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Government of India, the Government of Assam and the Government of Nagaland regarding hydrocarbon exploration and development in the Disputed Area Belt (DAB).
It stated that any future exploration and extraction activities must be undertaken with due consultation with landowners while respecting customary ownership rights, environmental sustainability and ensuring transparent and equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms.
The House observed that the Changpang oil fields in the Lower Range area remain the only commercially producing oil fields in Nagaland's history. It noted that oil production began in the early 1980s following discoveries by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) in the Changpang-Tsori belt and that crude oil was extracted between 1981 and 1994 before operations ceased. During the period, the state government reportedly received around Rs 33 crore in royalty revenues, making the region the single largest contributor to Nagaland's hydrocarbon revenues to date.
The House maintained that any future petroleum development in the region must ensure the inclusion of landowners and the Lower Range public as principal stakeholders through transparency, accountability, equitable distribution of benefits and meaningful local participation. It stressed that natural resources should serve as instruments of long-term prosperity and inter-generational development rather than become sources of conflict and division.
Highlighting the strategic importance of connectivity, the House urged the government to prioritise construction and maintenance of a high-quality Foothill Road, stating that the project should adhere to the highest engineering and quality standards to ensure durability, safety and long-term economic benefits.
It said the Foothill Road has the potential to transform Nagaland's economy by improving inter-district connectivity, facilitating movement of goods and people and reducing transportation costs for rural communities.
The House also discussed the importance of the Seed Farm located in the Lower Range area and said the facility has immense potential to strengthen agricultural productivity, seed security, rural livelihoods and food sustainability.
It appealed to the concerned authorities to upgrade infrastructure, modernise facilities, adopt scientific management practices and improve operational efficiency so that the Seed Farm can effectively serve farmers and contribute to Nagaland's agricultural development.
Reaffirming that peace and unity are essential for sustainable development, the House underscored the need for an amicable and permanent resolution of the long-pending Assam-Nagaland border issue through dialogue, mutual understanding and respect for the rights and aspirations of affected communities.
It expressed the belief that a peaceful settlement would create opportunities for economic development, investment, resource management and regional cooperation benefiting the people of Wokha and Nagaland as a whole.
On the forthcoming Census, the House appealed to citizens, village authorities, community organisations and stakeholders to ensure that the exercise is conducted in a rational and responsible manner to generate accurate demographic data for planning, equitable resource allocation, infrastructure development, policy formulation and representation.
The LLRPO reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the interests of the Lower Range region while working with all stakeholders for peace, progress and inclusive development, and called upon citizens to remain united and forward-looking in addressing the region's challenges and opportunities.
