The public hearing was organised by the Manipur Pollution Control Board at the Sibapurikhal community hall where various social organizations representing the ethnic groups of the state opposed the proposed oil exploration programme by an overseas company. The hearing was organised with specific reference to seismic aspects of oil exploration and drilling in the state.
Jubilant Oil and Gas Pvt Ltd, based in the Netherlands, was offered exploration rights in two blocks of Manipur by the Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas in 2009 for 3,957 sq km in the Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Imphal East districts, sources said.
Representatives of Joint Action Committee, All Rongmei Welfare Association, Jeme Human Rights Foundation, Hmar Inpui (Hmar Supreme House), Village Authority Association of Tipaimukh subdivision of Churachandpur district and other indigenous village organizations expressed their opposition to the proposed oil exploration and extraction. hey expressed their "serious concern with the manner in which oil and gas exploration projects have been pursued in vast areas of the state."
The organisations said they were not provided with prior information and, therefore, the proposed exploration did not bear the consent and knowledge of the indigenous people. They said the life of the people of the hills, the forests and rivers will be affected due to exploration. This is a new design by the authorities to pollute the virgin environment. They said the Manipur government had given permission to JOGPL for oil exploration and drilling on November 15, 2010. But it failed to take care of the concerns of the locals, the Autonomous District Council and the Manipur Hill Areas Committee, said Hmar Inpui chairman Laloilin Hmar.
However, deputy commissioner (Churachandpur) Jacintha Lazarus during the public hearing ensured the villagers that the proposed exploration would not harm the environment of the region.
Tejendra Paul Singh, asset manager of Jubilant Oil and Gas Pvt Ltd, said the places of exploration will not be disturbed. "We will not enter the reserved forests either," he said. Singh expressed his company's commitment for corporate social responsibility for the region in question.
They said the Manipur government had given permission to JOGPL for oil exploration and drilling on November 15, 2010. But it failed to take care of the concerns of the locals, the Autonomous District Council and the Manipur Hill Areas Committee, said Hmar Inpui chairman Laloilin Hmar.
However, deputy commissioner (Churachandpur) Jacintha Lazarus during the public hearing ensured the villagers that the proposed exploration would not harm the environment of the region.
Tejendra Paul Singh, asset manager of Jubilant Oil and Gas Pvt Ltd, said the places of exploration will not be disturbed. "We will not enter the reserved forests either," he said. Singh expressed his company's commitment for corporate social responsibility for the region in question.
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