ZHRF (Zomi Human Rights Foundation) opposes
Source: The Sangai Express
Lamka, November 21 2012:
The Zomi Human Rights Foundation today raised its objection to the Public Hearing held today at Sibapukhrikhal of Churachandpur district on the ground that local villages concerned and the hill people in general were not fully intimated about the agreement signed between the government and the private company that is carrying out oil exploration exercise.
In an objection statement submitted to the DC Churachandpur, ZHRF Secretary Suanmoi Guite, said that he had the right to object the proposed public hearing at Sibapukhrikhal Community Hall, Sibapukrikhal, Tipaimukh sub-division, Churachandpur District on November 21 in the interest of the Indigenous tribal peoples on numerous grounds.
The ZHRF dubbed the agreements signed for Oil Exploration by M/s Jubilant Oil and Gas Pvt Ltd with the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources, Government of India, as discreet on the ground that it was incomprehensible and without the free, prior, and informed consent of the Indigenous People.
'The Hill Indigenous People who according to the Manipur Hills Regulation Act of 1947 are the true and rightful owner of the Land.
The Hill Areas Committee, Manipur (HAC), a Constitutional Body under Article 371 C of the Indian Constitution was not consulted at the time of signing the agreement even though the Indian Constitution had mandated a consultation with the Hill Areas Committee for any measure that shall affect the interest and affairs of the Hills of Manipur.
'Furthermore, the grassroots level representatives of the people, the Autonomous District Council of Churachandpur was also neither taken into consideration nor consulted,' he said.
Suanmoi also pointed out various loopholes on the Environmental Impact Assessment conducted for the scientific exploration.
The EIA, he said, was conducted for six months i.e., November 2011 to February, 2012, during the Manipur General Election, when everyone was busy in exercising their Right to Vote, without the participation of the indigenous people concerned.
The ZHRF has also raised doubt on the agency that conducted the EIA.
'What logic of justice do they imagine we will buy into, when the EIA was conducted by an organisation in the service of the Jubilant Oil and Gas Company rather than in service of the people,' it queried.
The lengthy argument made by Suanmoi thus asserted that they are forced to conclude that the opportunity costs of allowing exploration in the said regions is far too high � the probable destruction, for long-term and short-term, and the socio-cultural fall-out, which in all likelihood will occur, is far too great to be exchanged for a few bread, coins and indentured labour.