More stand against oil exploration
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 27 2017:
A two day community consultation on 'Protection of land, forest and rivers' held at Sibilong village and Phaitol village in Tamenglong district on May 25 and 26 respectively resolved to defend their land and resources from any exploitation and plunder by oil companies such as Asian Oilfield, Oil India Limited, Jubilant Energy, Alphageoetc.
The participants also resolved to endorse the positions of previous public consultations on Oil exploration to reject any form of survey and oil exploration and drilling in Manipur by the oil companies, said a joint statement issued by Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur, Sibilong Village Authority, Phaitol Village Authority, Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur and Peace Core Team, Manipur.
During the meeting at Siguilong (Sibilong) village on May 25, chairman of Siguilong village court Keibammang Kamei said that Asian Oilfield came to the village seeking No Objection Certificate (NOC) which the village authority refused.
The company even brought some sugar and milk for the villagers.
Namdriguang Kamei, secretary, Chingkhuangloung Village Authority, Tameng-long district also said that the village will extend support to conserve the land and resources in Manipur.
Jahouitue, president, Oinamlong Zone, Tameng-long district reiterated that the people of Tamenglong have made a clear stand against oil exploration in the district as asserted in the public hearing on oil exploration conducted by Manipur Pollution Control Board and Jubiliant Energy in 2012 at Nungba town, Tamenglong town, Jiribam and others of the district.
"Our stand remain the same and there is no need for Oil India Limited to make another attempt to convince the people and carry out oil exploration in Tamenglong and other parts of Manipur," she said.
Aram Pamei, co-convenor, Peace Core Team, Manipur said that land, water and forest are crucial for livelihood and inter-generational survival of indigenous communities of Manipur.
"Tamenglong and other areas of Manipur are gifted with rich biodiversity and resources.
Oil exploration will also lead to widespread contamination of land and intense militarization with subsequent human rights violations.
Our land and resources should be protected," she added.
Participants of community meet held at Phaitol village on May 26 also shared the impacts of both surveys and direct exploration and drilling of oil that will have on the community.
The participants also urged the Oil India Limited, Asian Oilfield, Government of India and State Government to stop all the oil exploration related surveys and direct drilling.