ADB road project: Thoubal to Kasom Khullen : violation of indigenous peoples human rights

22nd August, 2014

The Centre for Research and Advocacy Manipur express our serious condemnation that the road project from Thoubal to Kasom Khullen funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has violated indigenous peoples human rights in Manipur by failing to adhere to the safeguard policies of ADB, in particular to provide rehabilitation and resettlement for the Six villagers of Thoubal and Ukhrul Districts, affected by the road project as reported by local dailies on 19 August 2014 on the legal notice served by the Manipur High Court on 11 August to the Government of Manipur, Ministry of Development of North East and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on the lapses and arbitrations.

The 47-km road, which passes through Thoubal, Senapati and Ukhrul districts, is part of the Union DoNER ministry's North Eastern State Roads Investment Programme. The Public Works Department, Manipur and other units implementing the project, have begun constructing the road.

The project authorities of the road project failed to conduct a detailed impact assessment of the road project, on which the rehabilitation and resettlement is premised and also to apply its safeguard policies, especially related to indigenous peoples. The ADB funded road project also failed to conduct a detailed Environment Impact Assessment and Management Plan in accordance with the latest safeguard policies of the Bank, based in Manila, Philippines. Failure to complete the rehabilitation and resettlement for the land acquired for the road project, also constitute a clear disregard of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007.

The Asian Development Bank is obliged to furnish all project documents, conduct a holistic impact assessment and to prepare indigenous peoples development plan based on its latest safeguard policies covering rehabilitation and resettlement, environment impact assessment and safeguarding indigenous peoples rights, wherever they are affected by projected supported by them. The ADB safeguard policies, widely condemned for its limitations, are not even applied in Manipur.

The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur would like to urge upon the Government of Manipur and the Asian Development Bank to conduct a full scale investigation of the anomaly and violation of indigenous peoples human rights by the road project funded by ADB in Thoubal and Ukhrul District, Manipur. The Asian Development Bank should fully implement all provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007 in its entire project implementation plan in Manipur and to stop harassment and causing miseries on them in the guise of development.

I would like to thank you very much for your kind publication.

Sincerely Yours,

(Mr. Sanaton Laishram)
President
Centre For Research And Advocacy, Manipur
Keisamthong Hodam Leirak Imphal Manipur 795001
E-add: [email protected]; [email protected];
www.cramanipur.wordpress.com;
Skype ID: cra.manipur