Newmai News Network Imphal | April 30 Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur (CPNRM) has expressed “concern and condemnation” on the recent statement of Manipur Minister of Commerce, Thongam Biswajit Singh in media for commencement of oil and gas exploration in various parts of Manipur, including Jiribam. According to CPNRM, it considered the ongoing effort of the Government of Manipur to facilitate the oil and gas exploration and drilling by Oil India Limited and the Jubiliant Oil and Gas Private Limited as a “clear disrespect and insensitivity to the long standing call and demands of the various indigenous communities of Manipur and the civil societies to stop all forms of oil exploration and drilling in Manipur.” CPNRM also expressed its concern and condemnation to the Oil India Limited and Asian Oilfields “for carrying out 2D surveys forcibly for related oil exploration and drilling” in various parts of Manipur. “Such forced surveys constitute disrespect to the community resolutions and petitions which urged the Government and oil companies to desist from oil exploration in Manipur,” stated CPNRM. The Committee alleged that the oil exploration works have been pursued by oil companies without recognizing indigenous peoples’ rights over their land and resources and also their right to free, prior and informed consent before introducing oil exploration. It maintained that oil exploration “will unleash multifaceted impacts”, including environment, social, cultural, economic, health impacts etc. According to CPNRM, multinational companies and the Government have been trying to exploit natural resources without considering the livelihood dependence of communities over their land and resources over generations. “Oil exploration will unleash not only environment and social impact, but also multifaceted conflict among and within communities while undermining inter-generational survival,” it added. CPNRM further reiterated its call to the Government and oil companies to stop all forms of oil exploration and drilling works in Manipur. “The Oil India Limited, Asian Oilfield, Jubilant Oil & Gas Private Limited should immediately stop all surveys and blasting activities related to oil exploration and drilling in Manipur,” it demanded. The Committee also stated that all production sharing contracts and Production Exploration Licenses signed by the Government of India and the Government of Manipur with oil companies should be revoked. “The Government of India, the Government of Manipur and oil companies should recognize indigenous peoples’ rights over their land and resources and to fully respect their right to self-determined development before pursuing any unsustainable projects in their land and territories,” it asserted.
