Morung Express News Dimapur | May 11 Joining the growing voices of oppositions against all forms of oil exploration work in Manipur, five organisations have submitted a joint memorandum to Manipur Government demanding a halt to all such activities, including creating awareness in the state. The memorandum by Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur (ZSUM), Inriangluang Chabuan Phuam (ICP), Tousem Students’ Union (TASO), Society for Enhancing Tangmelong, and The Forerunner submitted through the Deputy Commissioner Tamenglong on May 10, was addressed to the Commerce and Industry Government of Manipur Th.Bishwajit It was submitted in response to the Awareness Programme organized by the Government of Manipur along with the Oil India Limited and other oil companies in Tamenglong District Headquarters May 11, the organisations said. Expressing concerns that the OIL and the Government of India have been trying to explore and drill oil in Tamenglong and others parts of Manipur, it stated that the “awareness” campaign by oil companies “is just part of the continued attempt to drill and explore oil and will lead to confusion and division among the different communities.” “It is an utter disrespect to the demands of the indigenous peoples to stop oil exploration in Tamenglong and other areas in Manipur,” it added. The memo further reminded the Minister that there is a “longstanding expression of objection to the oil exploration and drilling efforts in Manipur by Jubilant Energy Private Limited and other oil companies since 2011, especially during all the five public hearings held in the year 2012.” “The main contention of the indigenous peoples to stop oil exploration is the non-recognition of their rights over their land and resources,” it said. “The Oil companies and the Government of India should recognize that oil and gas and other resources belong to the indigenous peoples of Manipur and not to oil companies,” it added. In this connection, the organisations rejected the awareness program “that began with a premise that oil resources belongs to the oil companies and to the Government” and also the notion that oil and other resources of Tamenglong and other parts of Manipur should be exploited by them. The memo also asserted “clearly and loudly “that Indigenous peoples of the affected area condemn any form of oil exploration and drilling in our land." "Any plan and action taken up by any company related to oil exploration and drilling works should be abandoned immediately for the larger interest of the indigenous communities of our lands. Falling which any sort of untoward incidents occur in the future will bore responsible by the government,” it added. The Joint Memorundun was appended by Heurang Newme, State Secy, ZSUM; RK Keiduam, President ICP; Nehemiah Daime, TASO; TP Cornelius, Chairman SET; and Ngakiuwang Kamie, Secretary, The Forerunner.
