Kohima: A PIL, filed in Guwahati High Court representing Champang and Tssori villages of Nagaland, has sought Rs 1,000 crore as compensation following the damage caused allegedly due to unabated oil spillage by ONGC.
The PIL held the ONGC and the Nagaland Government responsible for the damage in the crude oil-rich swathes. The petition to the Court has sought payment for the loss of oil from the spill and that the High Court orders the ONGC and the State Government to clean up the waste.
The petition further appealed to the court to prosecute and initiate criminal proceedings against the ONGC officials as well as the State and Central Governments accused.
The petitioners are Mmhonlumo Kikon and Others Versus the Oil and Natural Gas Commission Ltd, the Basin Manager of ONGC, Cinnamara in Jorhat, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, the State of Nagaland, the Nagaland Geology and Mining Department, Nagaland Forest Department, the Nagaland State Pollution Control Board and the Union of India represented by the Ministry of Petroleum and another, the Natural Gas and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.
The PIL has alleged largescale oil spillage in Champang and Tssori villages in Wokha district ‘due to willful negligence of the authorities to take appropriate steps to stop the oil spilling.
The oil spill began after the ONGC halted production in May 1994 following opposition by Naga organisations.
The petitioners accused the respondents for ‘failing’ to take action and prevent and protect the environment and ecological system in the two villages.
The PIL requested the High Court to direct, particularly the ONGC and the Nagaland Government, to clean up the oil spill within a stipulated timeframe.
The High Court was also requested to direct the Government not to enter into any negotiation, understanding or permission with the ONGC or other companies (Indian and foreign) working on oil exploration, extraction or production to explore, extract oil till the impact of oil spill affected area is redressed.
Stating the circumstances, the petitioners have appealed to the court to initiate criminal proceedings and prosecution of the officials of the ONGC as well as the state and the Central governments. (UNI)
