Days after the Government of Nagaland announced the constitution of a Ministerial Group on Petroleum & Natural Gas, 2023-2028 and released the names of the members, Lotha Lower Range Public Organisation (LLRPO) has appealed for inclusion of the Member of Legislative Assembly for 40 Bhandari in the list.

LLRPO stated its disappointment over the exclusion of the MLA of oil-bearing Bhandari which is the first oil extraction area in Nagaland. The sitting MLA of the constituency is Achumbemo Kikon.

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The organisation mentioned that crude oil was first struck, and extraction works started from Changpang-Tssori, Wokha by the ONGC in 1973 but the state government suspended all its Petroleum & Natural Gas extraction activities through Naga public agitation on 5 May1994.

LLRPO further appealed the government to restart the oil exploring and extraction activities only after consultation with land owners/stakeholders including the apex organization of the Lotha Hoho and all frontal organization under LLRPO.

The members of the Ministerial Group on Petroleum & Natural Gas, 2023-2028 as notified by the state government are –

Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister: Chairman

T.R. Zeliang, Deputy Chief Minister, Planning & Transformation: Member

Temjen Imna Along, Minister Tourism, Higher Education: Member

Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor Agriculture: Member

A. Pangjung Jamir, Advisor Fisheries & Aquatic Resource: Member

W. Chingang Konyak, Advisor Geology & Mining, DUDA: Member

Chief Secretary: Member Secretary