Dimapur, September 21 (MExN): Following an on-spot experience of the oil spill in Changpang, village in Wokha district, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has strongly appealed to the Government of Nagaland and “the responsible agencies of the state and the Centre” to act to ‘save the area’ from further damage. In fact, the NSF feels that the government should declare the spilt-old affected areas as “emergency” and address the case before the area becomes unfeasible for human inhabitation.
Leaders of the NSF, along with its Tribunals, visited Champang on September 16. They held discussions with stakeholders including the village’s council, elders, GBs, land owners union and various local students ’ unions.
“During the NSF visit, it was devastating to see the damages of the ecological and environment of the area since the last 17 years by the unabated oil spillage from the ONGC abandoned Oil rigs and the subsequent effect on the people’s health and the local economy due to the blemished soil and groundwater of the area,” the NSF said in a statement issued to the media today.
The statement was appended by NSF president Kelhouneizo Yhome and general secretary N Ejanthung Ngullie.
“The NSF strongly appeals to the state government and the responsible agencies of the State and the Centre to act upon immediately to save the catastrophe in the area. The NSF further feels necessary that the government should declare the oil spillage site as a state of emergency and instantly address this issue before the area becomes unfeasible for human inhabitation,” the NSF said.
“Over the years the NSF have been expressing its concerns to the authority on the oil spillage that has ravaged the environment and causing lots of related hazards. However, the NSF is pained to experience that nothing has been done in the ground despite the high profile visit of different agencies that has hogged the limelight.”
Expressing serious concern for the affected people, the organization has appealed to the government “to immediately initiate steps to develop the poor road connection, electrify the area and provide potable water facility which are the most basic need of any human survival.”
The NSF has reiterated its stand on revoking all permits and licenses and reaffirmed not to allow any exploration until an ‘honorable, acceptable and beneficial’ modalities are set in place in the interest and rights of the local people in particular and the Nagas in general. The NSF has urged the Government of Nagaland to expedite the process in drawing the modalities for resuming oil production at Champang.
Leaders of the NSF, along with its Tribunals, visited Champang on September 16. They held discussions with stakeholders including the village’s council, elders, GBs, land owners union and various local students ’ unions.
“During the NSF visit, it was devastating to see the damages of the ecological and environment of the area since the last 17 years by the unabated oil spillage from the ONGC abandoned Oil rigs and the subsequent effect on the people’s health and the local economy due to the blemished soil and groundwater of the area,” the NSF said in a statement issued to the media today.
The statement was appended by NSF president Kelhouneizo Yhome and general secretary N Ejanthung Ngullie.
“The NSF strongly appeals to the state government and the responsible agencies of the State and the Centre to act upon immediately to save the catastrophe in the area. The NSF further feels necessary that the government should declare the oil spillage site as a state of emergency and instantly address this issue before the area becomes unfeasible for human inhabitation,” the NSF said.
“Over the years the NSF have been expressing its concerns to the authority on the oil spillage that has ravaged the environment and causing lots of related hazards. However, the NSF is pained to experience that nothing has been done in the ground despite the high profile visit of different agencies that has hogged the limelight.”
Expressing serious concern for the affected people, the organization has appealed to the government “to immediately initiate steps to develop the poor road connection, electrify the area and provide potable water facility which are the most basic need of any human survival.”
The NSF has reiterated its stand on revoking all permits and licenses and reaffirmed not to allow any exploration until an ‘honorable, acceptable and beneficial’ modalities are set in place in the interest and rights of the local people in particular and the Nagas in general. The NSF has urged the Government of Nagaland to expedite the process in drawing the modalities for resuming oil production at Champang.
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