Spare residential areas, agricultural land : JACs to ADB
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 16 2015 :
Three joint action committees constituted against the State Government's plan to construct a ring road around Imphal have appealed to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to desist from financing the proposed Imphal ring road project.
In separate memorandums submitted to ADB president Takehiko Nakao, JAC Against Proposed Imphal Ring Road (Tharon-Lanthungching), JAC Kongba Makha Nandeibam Leikai Development Committee and JAC Langthabal Nambul Mapal on Imphal Ring Road Project maintained that ADB should not invest in the Imphal ring road project until and unless free, prior and informed consent of the affected people is obtained.
So far, there have been no efforts on the part of the Government of Manipur, ADB and their consultants to reach out to affected people and inform details of the project and possible implications on their rights and survival.
There has been no effort to conduct a detailed socio-economic, health and environmental impact assessment with regard to the proposed ring road.
The proposed project would contribute enormously in undermining food security of Manipur by way of acquisition of vast tracts of prime agricultural land.
Accusing Project Director Y Joykumar of misinforming the visiting ADB team that the affected people have given their consent to the project, the JACs vehemently denied having accepted the project.
A large number of peasants and agricultural labourers whose sole livelihood is agriculture would be put under immense survival pressure.
Moreover, the project would affect Langthabal Hills which is closely associated with the folklores of Meitei people.
In spite of all the voices of objection raised through local media and in the form of protest demonstrations, there has been no effort on the part of the project authorities to consult and discuss alternatives to the project or even to minimize impacts.
The JACs maintained that there has been no official consultation with affected people nor any official intimation of any changes in plan or road diversion and re-alignment other than the maps published in local media.
The JACs asserted that the proposed ring road should not be constructed without free, prior and informed consent of all affected people.
The Government of Manipur and ADB should provide all the necessary and related information on the proposed ring road including detailed project report, environmental and social impact assessment, rehabilitation and resettlement plan.
The project authorities shouldconsider and accept alternatives suggested by affected people.
The ADB should ensure that policies of 2009 are safeguarded and the rights of all affected indigenous people are fully adhered to and implemented, the JACs demanded.