CRAM condemns
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 23 2014 :
The Centre for Research and Advocacy Manipur has expressed serious condemnation over the road project from Thoubal to Kasom Khullen funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for violating 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 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.
CRAM said that 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, specially 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, added CRAM.
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.
The ADB safeguard policies, widely condemned for its limitations, are not even applied in Manipur, added Centre for Research and Advocacy.