Meet deliberates on oil exploration
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 21 2017:
A community meeting on oil exploration in Manipur was organised by Goinganglong Village Authority at the village yesterday wherein the ongoing efforts of oil companies like Asian Oilfields, Oil India Limited, Jubilant Energy to commence oil exploration in Tamenglong and other parts of the State and the larger implications on the people and environment were deliberated.
Gunrei Kamei of Nungba village explained how the private firm Asian Oilfields, was trying to explore and drill oil in Tamenglong district.
Adim Gangmei, member of Kambiron Village Authority said that Alphageo Company conducted oil surveys in their village way back in 2012 without taking consent of the people.
He also said that Asian Oilfields and Oil India Limited have been trying to take no objection certificate from the village authority.
However, the village authority resolved against providing NOC considering the previous violations done by the oil companies, he said.
Aram Pamei, ex-president of Naga Women Union said that Government of India and the oil companies should refrain from causing destruction and environmental devastation in Tamenglong district.
She noted that UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous People, 2007 recognises indigenous people's rights over their land and resource and even on the management.
Chairman of Keiphundai Village Authority explained how the villagers faced water scarcity due to survey related blasting by Alphageo Company in 2012 forcing the villagers to stop the survey works.