Consultations on oil drilling
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, May 05 2017:
Concerned by the efforts of the government to drill oil in some hill districts ofManipur, consultations were carried by villagers in association with some organizations on May 2 and3 in Nungba area of Noney district.
A press statement issued jointly by Nungba Areas Village Authority Association (NAVAA), Centre for Research and Advocacy Manipur (CRAM) and Peace Core Team Manipur (PCTM) they organized community consultations on "Protection of Land, Environment and Natural Resources" at Nungba town and Goinanglong village, Manipur on May 2 and 3 .
The consultations were organized in context of ongoing efforts of the Government of India to explore and drill oil from Manipur and awarding contract to Asian Oilfields by Oil India Limited for resurveys for oil exploration in Tamenglong and Churachandpur in January 2017, the statement added.
According to the press release, leaders of village authorities of Nungba area and Goinamlong area including from villagers such as Nungba, Balongdai, Muktina, Thingou, Okoklong, Toudaijang, Sibilong, Keimai, Kambiron, Tajai Keiphun, Goinanglong and many others participated in the consultations.
"Among village leaders sharing experiences, Disinglung Kamei, Chairman, Sibilong Village Authority shared how their village rejected the recent request for No Objection Certificates (NOC) by Asian Oil Field for conducting oil surveys, reasoning that no single village canissue NOC to oil companies' without consultation and agreement among all affected villagers," the statement added.
It then said that Akhonliu, women leader from Nungba town expressed concern with the "recent effort" of the Oil India Limited and the Asian Oil Field to conduct re-sur-veys for initiating oil exploration in Tamenglong without providing clear information of impacts and also without taking the consent of affected villagers and despite the staunch objection to oil exploration plan in Tamenglong in 2012 .
According to the press note, Lungthangpao Dangmei, member, Village Authority shared how Asian Oilfields also tried to seek NOC from Kambiron Village.
Aram Pamei, Co-Convenor, Peace Core Team, Manipur shared that recent effort of Asian Oilfields to conduct survey is a violation of indigenous peoples' rights.
"She shared oil exploration will unleash social, environmental, cultural impacts and inter-generational impacts on communities and their land.
She urged communities not to give up their land for unsustainable projects like oil exploration and instead should develop their land for coming generations.
Jiten Yumnam of CRA, Manipur stressed for recognition of community rights over their land and resources and their self-de-termined development processes", the press statement added.
"The villagers attending the consultations reaffirmed their stance against issuance of No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to Asian Oilfield, Alpha Geo and other oil companies for any surveys related to oil exploration and drilling in Tamenglong," it claimed.
According to the press statement, the participants then resolved to defend their land and resources against oil drilling in Tamenglong and other parts of Manipur and decided to urge upon the Government of India and Manipur and concerned oil companies to respect indigenous peoples' rights over their land and resources and to refrain from any forceful oil exploration without their consent.
"Further, the participants also agreed to build solidarity and unity among all communities affected by oil exploration to strive for a self-determined development processes and for stronger recognition of their human rights," the press note added.
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