Public hearing on oil drilling
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Jiribam, November 20 2012:
To be organised by Manipur Pollution Control Board, a public hearing on oil exploration in Manipur with specific reference to seismic aspects to oil exploration and drilling will be held at Ankhasuo also known as Sibapurikhal in Churachandpur district, about 35km from Jiribam town on November 21 .
For this very purpose, Hill Areas Committee (HAC), government of Manipur chairman and Tipaimukh constituency legislator Dr.Chaltonlien Amo and Churachandpur Deputy Commissioner Jacintha Lazarus have already reached Jiribam today.
They will be escorted to the village tomorrow where a public hearing is slated to be held amidst tight security arrangement.
Journalists from Silchar representing various national and local media will also attend the hearing.
The Netherland-based Jubilant Oil and Gas Pvt Ltd.
was offered exploration rights in two blocks of Manipur by the Union Ministry of Petroleum in 2009 in 3,957 sq km in the Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Imphal East districts.
The Hmar Inpui (Hmar Supreme House) and the Village Authority Association of Tipaimukh Sub Division, Churachandpur district, Manipur had on November 15 made a press release wherein they voiced strongly against oil exploration in the Hmar areas.
The total land area granted for oil exploration is 3850 sq.km.
which is almost one sixth of the total geographical area of Manipur, the two associations stated.
The drilling site will be located at 12 Hmar villages in Churachanpur and Imphal East districts.
Several protests have been organised against oil exploration moves in Manipur's Hmar areas, including the ongoing environmental public hearings organized by the Manipur Pollution Control Board.