CPNRM against public hearing; submits memo to PM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 28, 2012:
In the wake of the public hearing notice issued by the Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for petroleum explorations in Manipur, the Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister registering strong objection to the move.
"The efforts to explore and drill oil in Manipur involves a process of disrespect and non application of human rights based approach to development, one that recognises indigenous peoples' rights, more with self determined development over their land and resources.." said the memo submitted to the PM by the Committee, which is also made available to the press.
Uring the PM to cancel the public hearings called by the Manipur Pollution Control Board, the representation warned that India should take full responsibility for any eventualities emerging out of the 'insensitivity' of the voice, wishes, aspirations and demands of the indigenous people.
Rejecting the public hearing process while terming it as a flawed and incomplete process, the committee also registered its rejection to the draft EIA prepared by SEXES for Jubilant Oil and Gas Private Limited.
It demanded that any impact assessment of Oil Exploration should be holistic and it should be with due and informed participation of all affected communities.
The Manipur Pollution Control Board has issued notifications for public hearings for petroleum explorations in the State to be held on July 30 at Jiribam, on August 8 at Parbung and at Nungba on August 17. The committee apprised the PM that the public hearings in the past had already proved a sham exercises which disrespect indigenous people's voices while citing the case of the MPCB making contorted reports about the people's voice regarding the construction of Tipaimukh Dam during a hearings held in Mizoram, Tamenglong and Tipaimukh.
It may be mentioned that the Ministry of Petroleum and natural Gas, Government of India had reportedly granted licence to Jubilant Oil and Gas Private Limited (JOG-PL), headquartered in Netherlands and registered with London Stock Exchange for exploration and drilling works in two oil blocks in Manipur�Jiribam (Imphal East), and Tamenglong and Churachandpur districts.
The Government of India had signed the production sharing contract (PSC)on July 19, 2010 at New Delhi with JOGPL for on land oil block in Manipur.
The Committee on the Protection of Natural resources in Manipur comprises JAC on Protection of Hydrocarbon and Resources; All Zeliangrong Students' Union (AZSU); Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN); Naga Women Union; North East Dialogue Forum; Life-watch; Zomi Human Rights Foundation; Sinlung Indigenous People's Human Rights Organisation; Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Project; Citizens Concern for Dams and Development; Tamenglong Village Authority; naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights; Human Tights Initiative; Rongmei Lu Phuam; EAC; FREINDS; HRA.
The memo also highlighted that the consequences of oil drilling on the indigenous people's land in Manipur could jeopardise the survival of all communities which rely on their land for their food, resources and other basic needs as oil exploration and drilling has huge potential to cause environmental impacts on the flora and fauna of Manipur because of the flaring gas, contamination of water, destruction of forest and oil spill etc.
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