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Manipur NGOs say no to oil exploration

By Sobhapati Samom

IMPHAL, March 26 � Manipur-based Joint Action Committee (JAC) on protection of hydro-carbon and resources in association with 11 other pressure groups reaffirmed today to oppose oil exploration and proposed Tipaimukh dam project in the State.

A resolution to this effect was taken in a day-long convention of �Tipaimukh dam and petroleum exploration in Manipur�, held in connection with the International Rivers Day at Nungba, a hill station, around 100 km west of here under Tamenglong district.

�The convention asserted that our oil should be kept under the earth and let our rivers flow free for our future generations,� said President of Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM) Aram Pamei on behalf of the organising committee, in a press release.

The convention also demanded �An immediate revocation of the MoU between the Government of India and Alpha Geo Private Limited (AGPL) and Jubilant Oil and Gas Private Limited (JOGPL) in Manipur.� Oil exploration survey was reported at Puilon, Zeiphun and Lungba (Nungba) in Tamenglong district.

The convention attended by representatives of Zeliangrong Baudi, All Zeliangrong Students Union, Zeliangrong Youth Front, Zeliangrong Students Union Manipur, North East Dialogue Forum, Action Committee against Tipaimukh Dam, Singlung Indigenous People Human Rights Organisation, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development, NWUM and others also demanded immediate cancellation of the petroleum exploration licenses and revocation of the contract awarded to JOGPL by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on July 19, 2010.

It also wanted a halt to all survey works undertaken by AGPL in the name of development works in Manipur, the release added and further demanded immediate revocation of the MoU between the Government of Manipur, National Hydroelectric Project and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, signed on April 28, 2010.

The JAC also called for holistic impact assessment of the proposed dam and oil exploration in the Barak river basin in Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and Bangladesh with due participation of all affected people. �We will never allow our land to be used and forest to be submerged and destroyed by oil and petroleum exploration and Tipaimukh Dam�, the release said.

�We will also submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister and launch a global petition to stop oil and petroleum exploration and Tipaimukh Dam project in our region�, the release said.

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