Manipur State Consultation on Development Injustice and Photo Exhibition

Imphal, July 23, 2014:

Manipur State Consultation on Development Injustice on 23 July 2014

CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY, MANIPUR
CITIZENS CONCERN FOR DAMS AND DEVELOPMENT
ALL LOKTAK LAKE AREAS FISHERMEN’S UNION
MAPITHEL DAM AFFECTED VILLAGERS ORGANIZATION

The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, the Citizens Concern for Dams and Development, All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen Union and the Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization organized a Manipur Consultation on Development Injustice in Manipur at Nupilal Complex, Imphal on 23 July 2014. The consultation is being held as part of observance of Global Days of Action for Development Justice in the post 2015 development context.

A Three day photo exhibition on the theme, “Towards a Just Development: Protection of Natural Heritage in Manipur”, which will continue from 23 -25 was also opened to the public by Ms. Aram Pamei, Co-Chairperson of Citizens Concern for Dams and Development.

Mr. Jiten Yumnam, Secretary, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, presented the key note address and highlighted the pattern of development injustice persisting in Manipur due to large scale development policies and projects in the context of increasing neoliberal policies introduced in Manipur and across India’s North East region.

Ms. Aram Pamei sharing on Development Injustice wrt to Tipaimukh dam and oil exploration plan in Manipur

Mr. Oinam Rajen, Secretary of All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen Union, Mr. Rockson JS, Secretary, Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization, Dr. Dhanabir Laishram, Advisor, All Manipur United Clubs Organization, Dr. RK Ranjan, Senior Environmentalist spoke as resource person. Mr. Oinam Rajen spoke how the 105 Loktak HEP project wrought devastation on peoples lives, destroyed food sovereignty and economic activity and increased dependency on outsiders.

The Government of Manipur instead of considering the plights of all affected communities framed policies to promote and protect the interest and control of corporate bodies over Loktak Lake. The continued eviction of fishing communities and arsoning of their floating huts under the Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 and imposing arbitrary restrictions on fishing and use of traditional fishing gears is unjust form of development. The continued lack of accountability of National Hydroelectric Power Policy in Loktak wetlands is a clear instance of development injustice.

Mr. Rockson, Secretary of Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization lamented on the injustice confronted by the tribal people during the thirty four years implementation of the project (construction of Mapithel dam). He explained how Mapithel dam has been pursued without the free, prior informed consent of affected indigenous peoples. He said Mapithel dam has been pursued in violation of both Indian laws and international laws on development. The continued militarization of land and suppression of voices of affected communities for a just rehabilitation and resettlement is a clear instance of injustice due to Mapithel dam construction. Unleashing divide and rule policy, under any circumstances, as in the case of Mapithel dam cannot be considered as just development.

Nganbi Leima, eviction victim of Lamphel Yaipha Leikai eviction testifies her hardship faced due to forced eviction unleashed on them in June 2011, leaving them with no shelter, livelihood and alternative means of survival. She narrated the negligence of Government of Manipur in providing compensation and rehabilitation for the affected families.

Opening of Photo Exhibition on Development Injustice on 23 July 2014

Dr. RK Ranjan, Senior environmentalist explained that any that goes against peoples wishes cannot be considered as sustainable. Govt assured false promises before commissioning of Loktak Project, but instead, the project submerged more than 80,000 acres of agriculture land. Communities are displaced and their future destroyed. He explained that farmland of Manipur is increasingly been acquired for unsustainable development. Yurembam village will now disappear completely after series of projects introduced, the latest being the Trans Asian Railway and High Voltage Power Grid.

Dr. Ranjan explained traditional water management of Manipur will be seriously undermined and the intrinsic relationship of indigenous peoples for their inherent survival and livelihood continues to be undermined. The New Land Use Policy, 2014 will allow commercial agriculture, such as oil palm, cash crops etc. There is no land use planning in Manipur based on the actual needs of Manipur. Development justice will best achieved with full participation of communities.

Miss Aram Pamei, Co-Chairperson, CCDD asked if development policies and projects introduced in Manipur is for the people. Is development that takes the lives of people and human rights violations and also that involves destruction of forest, biodiversity considered as just development. She also asked if causing sleepless nights due to merciless eviction just forms of development? She explained that the proposed 1500 MW Tipaimukh dam will involve felling down of 27,000 hectares of forest and cutting of 7.8 million trees.

Tipaimukh dam will submerge series of water falls and all heritage sites of several indigenous communities in Tamenglong and Churachandpur District of Manipur. She further asked if gifting away our land and resources to Multinational corporations without our consent forms of development? Is bribing community leaders to agree to oil exploration in Manipur forms of development justice. Ms. Aram highly stressed on challenging the forms of development/currently pursued in Manipur?

Dr. Dhanabir Laishram, Advisor, AMUCO, explained there is high politics of water and resources and asserted that India’s ambition of super power status is planned from damming rivers of Manipur. Dr Dhanabir stressed that the increased pursuance of neo liberal development processes in Manipur has led to increased environmental degradation and human rights violations and inequality. Manipur urgently requires promotion of alternative energy to promote a more sustainable and people oriented development. He further stressed that Peoples unity and consciousness also crucial to promote sustainable development and solution.

Sincerely Yours,

Sanaton Laishram
(President, CRAM)
Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur