ADB financing in Manipur & call for participation and accountability in Manipur
- 30th April 2023 : Centre For Research And Advocacy -

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CRA expresses concern with the increased financing of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other International Financial Institutions in Manipur and across India’s North East, such as the construction of Kangchup Tamenglong Road project, Imphal Town Ring Road Project, the proposed financing of the Loktak Ecotourism Project in Manipur and the financing of Lower Kopili dam in Assam etc.

The ADB funded infrastructure road projects in Manipur, Imphal Town Ring Road Project and the Kangchup Tamenglong Road Project under the South Asia Sub Economic Cooperation project are mired with controversies, such as failing to take the consent of affected communities and to conduct a detailed Environment Impact Assessment.

Affected villagers will be improvised due to the forced acquisition of their land without providing alternative livelihood options. There are complaints of exclusivity of affected indigenous communities in the development decision on ADB projects that affect their land rights. The non-adherence of the safeguard policies of ADB has been a longstanding concern in Manipur.

The Government of Manipur and the ADB should desist from direct disposal of earth, rocks and other debris from road cutting in their agriculture land, forest and water sources and to address their grievances. The government of Manipur should stop all forms of forced eviction pursued without their consent in Manipur. ADB and Government should desist from forcibly acquiring land for the ADB financed Imphal Town Ring Road Project and the Phalong village, affected by Kangchup Tamenglong Road project.

The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur would like to urge upon the ADB and the Government of Manipur to conduct a full scale investigation of the social and environment impacts on indigenous communities by the various road projects funded by ADB in Manipur. ADB should desist financing the Imphal Town Ring Road Project without the consent of affected indigenous peoples.

The challenges of such financial support of the ADB and other international multilateral and bilateral banks come as loan support with obligatory interest payments, which also undermine objectives of ODA. This can cause and worsen the indebtedness of the Government and the people.

ADB in its Annual meeting in Incheon, South Korea from 2-5 May, 2023, should rescind plans to finance unsustainable large dam projects in North East India, such as the 120 MW Lower Kopili Hydroelectric Project in the pretext of promoting just energy transition and innovative climate change solutions.

ADB should review and rescind all financing and facilitation of corporate bodies in the plunder and expropriation of land and resource in Manipur and across North East India. ADB should strengthen its accountability framework by establishing grievance mechanism at the project level. ADB should uphold the rights of affected communities and human rights defenders and urgently undertake measures to stop the reprisals targeting community leaders striving for just development.

The ADB should implement its safeguard policy and all provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007 in its project financings in Manipur and across North East India.

(Sanaton Laishram)
President
Centre For Research And Advocacy, Manipur
Jupiter Yambem Centre, Paona Bazar,
Imphal, Manipur, India 795001
www.cramanipur.wordpress.com