Community at Khaidem village agitate against oil exploration

Imphal, May 19 (EMN): A Community meets on ongoing Oil Exploration survey by Asian Oilfiel, held at Khaidem Mayai Leikai, Laibung, Imphal West, Manipur on May 18, organised by the Meira Paibi Associations and Youth Clubs of Khaidem Villages, Awang Leikai, Makha Leikai and Mayai Leikai with the Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur, All Manipur United Clubs Organization and North East Dialogue Forum. The Consultation is organised in the context of 2D surveys for oil exploration works in Manipur by Asian Oilfield, contracted by the Oil India Limited, reported through a press release.

It further stated that, the participants condemned the oil exploration surveys and multiple blasting by Asian Oilfield in Khaidem area and resolved that oil companies, viz, the Asian Oilfield, Oil India Limited.

It should stop all exploration related works in Khaidem area and in all parts of Manipur. The participant also resolved Asian Oilfield should mandatorily provide all details of their project, such as Detailed Project Report, the Environmental Impact Assessments, Social Impact Assessment, Environment Management Plan and all agreements with the Government of India and Government of Manipur for oil exploration to the people of Manipur.

Gunni, Meira Paibi Leader of Khumbong Area and Jiten of Khaidem Village shared experiences of how Asian Oilfield conducted oil surveys in Khaidem area by blasting multiple bombs in agricultural land without conducting any environmental and social impact assessment of such surveys and also without providing any details and information of the proposed oil exploration plan and surveys.

Ph Deban, President, AMUCO, shared that the proposed plan for oil exploration in Manipur without taking the consent of Khaidem villagers and the people of Manipur at large is a clear disrespect to the people of Manipur. The multiple blasting at Khaidem village and the proposed plan for oil drilling in Manipur would not only lead to social and environment impacts, but will only lead to plunder of our land and resources, he added.

Aram Pamei, Ex-President, Naga Women Union shared how the villagers of Tamenglong District were duped by oil companies like Alpha Geo and Jubilant Energy to given No Objection Certificates (NOC) by bribing local leaders and propagating misinformation. She also shared how villagers of Tamenglong rejected NOC’s due to social, environmental impacts and on consideration of their rights over their land and territories.

Nando Luwang, Vice President, AMUCO also shared that oil resources belongs to people of Manipur and condemned how Oil India Limited and Asian Oilfield commenced survey works and oil exploration works without even informing the people of Manipur. The people of Manipur should consider how NHPC has fooled the people of Manipur with its 105 MW Loktak Project by failing its promises in Manipur. Assam continues to remain one of the poorest State of India despite oil extraction from Assam for more than a Century.

Y Jiten of CPNRM shared how oil resources is classified as Union Government property and how such classification with multiple oil related laws on exploration and extraction constitute a deprivation and negation of the rights of the people of Manipur to their own resources and their right to develop it. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources awarded oil exploration contract to Jubilant Energy without consulting people of Manipur, he added.