Khangbor meet opposes oil exploration
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 03, 2013: A community level meeting held at Khangbor village under Tipaimukh sub-division has resolved that the joint efforts of the Government of India and Jubilant Oil and Gas Private Limited (JOGPL) to drill and explore petroleum from Manipur should be aborted immediately.

The meeting held on January 30 was jointly organised by JAC on Oil Exploration in Tipaimukh Area, Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur, All Tribal Students' Union Manipur, Centre for Organisation Research and Education.

All Zeliangrong Students' Union .

Citizen's Concern for Dams and Development and Centre for Research and Advocacy.

Resource speaks

As oil companies as well as the Government of India have failed to respect and recognise people's right to self-determination over their life, future, land and natural resources, Government of India and JOGPL should put a stop to all their efforts aimed at exploring petroleum in Manipur.

The meeting re-affirmed the resolutions adopted at the public consultation meetings held at Jiribam on December 22, 2011, Nungba on March 14, 2012, Imphal on July 16, 2012, Tamenglong on November 6, 2012 and Sibapurikhal on November 16, 2012.The Khangbor meet further resolved that contracts and licences given by the Government of India and Government of Manipur for petroleum exploration in two oil blocks in Manipur should be 1 cancelled.

The third resolution was that the Government of India should take up development/modernisation programmes in conformity to the provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007), UN Convention on Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

UN Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and UN Convention on Civil and Political Rights.

While also urging for immediate repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the meeting resolved to oppose tooth and nail if the Government tries to browbeat its way for oil exploration in Manipur.

"We resolve to remain united to defend our rights and freedom to determine the future of our people, land and resources", said another resolution of the meeting.

Notably the Government of India has already given licence to the Netherlands based JOGPL for petroleum exploration in two oil blocks in Manipur AA-ONN/2009/1 and AA-ONN/ 2009/2. JOGPL has currently surveying the two oil blocks.

Based on the draft Environmental Impact Assessment of the survey work, Manipur Pollution Control Board organised a public hearing on July 30 last year at Jiribam.

The public hearing was responded with vehement opposition from the people.

Similar public hearings were held at Parbung on August 8, Nungba on August 17 and Tamenglong on November 7 and all these public hearings were responded with a strong public outcry of opposition to the oil exploration move.