Tousem protests
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 23 2024: Several villages in Tousem sub-division have erupted in protest against the plan to conduct seismic survey for oil exploration and development of a wildlife sanctuary in Zeilad area of Tamenglong district.

People of villages including Makuai, Charinapang, Impa-Nkang, Impa-Ningdi, Chingkao, Taningjam, Tongtao and Chingkhonglong gathered at Atengba village and staged a protest.

The villagers at Atengba village in Tousem sub-division raised slogans against oil exploration and development of a wildlife sanctuary in the areas near Zeilad.

They held placards that read "No to wildlife sanctuary, Yes to human life, Recognise indigenous people's rights, Our land our identity, No to oil exploration" etc.

The protest came after the Geological Survey of India sent letters to villages in Tamenglong and Noney districts informing them of a planned seismic survey for oil exploration at D-2 and D-3 oil reserves.

D-2 and D-3 are categories of oil and gas resources that are estimated during the initial prospecting stage of oil exploration.

Prior to this, the NSCN (IM) Deputy Ato Kilonser Lt Gen (retd) VS Atem had issued a Letter of Authority giving Zeilad Zeliangrong Region Kilonser Longchaibi Gonmei the authority over the proposed oil exploration and development of Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary.

The villages in the region erupted in protest after they came across these letters of the Geological Survey of India and the NSCN (IM) .

This isn't the first time the villages have protested against oil exploration.

Such protests also occurred a decade ago.

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