Our Correspondent
Imphal, Sep. 6 (EMN): A people’s convention in Imphal has resolved to urge the authorities to decommission the failed, under-performed and unsustainable mega dams such as Ithai Barrage, Khuga dam in Manipur,Dumbur Dam in Tripura and Ranganadi hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Eastern Himalayan People’s convention on protection of indigenous people and natural resources which was organised by North East Dialogue Forum and its associate bodies.
The convention was attended by representatives of Save Sikkim, Action Committee on Teesta, Borok Peoples Human Rights Organisation, Karbi Human Rights Watch, North East Dialogue Forum, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, Khasi Students Union, Peoples rights for Subansiri Valley, Youth forum for protection of human rights, Siang Peoples Forum and other civil society organisations.
The convention in their declaration has also resolved to stand against all mega dams in North East and to urge the Government of India to revoke all Memorandum of Understandings and rescind all plans to build mega dams all over the Rivers of Eastern Himalayas.
The said mega dams include 1500 MW Tipaimukh Dam and 190 MW Pabram Dam over the Barak River, the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Dam,the 2700 Lower Demwe Hydroelectric Project, dams in Tawang etc.It urged to stop the commissioning plan of Mapithel dam and release water from Mapithel dam reservoir.
Urging upon the UCIL and other companies to withdraw from Meghalaya and North East India,the declaration also urged the authority to rescind all plans of the UCIL to commercially mine uranium in Meghalaya including exploratory mining by AMD and stop all mining plans like Chromium and limestone mining in Manipur, Assam etc.
Appealing to repeal policies such as North East Hydrocarbon Vision, 2030, the Manipur Hydro Power Policy, 2012,Indian Oilfield Act, 1948 etc that facilitate extensive corporation, privatization and exploitation of indigenous peoples land and territories, it also demanded to stop “all oil exploration and drilling across North East States and to revoke all contracts and licenses awarded to oil companies like Jubilant Oil and Gas Private Limited, the Oil India Limited, the Asian Oilfields, CANARO etc for failing to respect indigenous peoples rights.”
Urging the International Financial Institutions to respect indigenous peoples’ human rights and also to stop financing projects whose intention is to plunder land and resources in the region,it appealed to review and rescind unsustainable and destructive development projects and policies, recognizing indigenous peoples’ rights over their land and ensuring their rightful involvement in development decision making processes in the region would be crucial step to realize sustainable development goals.
The declaration stated that urged India’s Act East Policy should also stop causing harm and destruction of peoples land and resources and violation of their human rights.
It further urged the Government of India to fully implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007 in all development related decision making processes.
