Indian Oilfield Act needs to be amended

Public meetings and rally decry oil exploration

IMPHAL | Aug 6

Locals of Torbung area resolved to ban oil exploration work and any other related work to exploit any natural resources in the area. They also resolved that no natural resources can be taken out without the free-prior and informed consent of the people of Torbung Area.

The meeting held at Kangvai community hall today also resolved to support and take part in any movement related to oil exploration and exploration of natural resources in Manipur. The public meeting was organised by the villagers of Torbung area, Churachandpur district.

Speaking in the meeting Sapam Ranjan, pradhan of Torbung GP said that the natural resources petroleum, limestone, cobalt chromium, coal, etc which are found in the state must be protected by the people of the land and should not be given to the central government.

It is mentioned in the Indian Oilfield Act 1948 that the ultimate owner of the natural resources found in any area of the country is the property of the central government, he said, and asked if the people are going to sacrifice their land which are kept for them by our ancestor just for the central government in the name of development by depriving the rights over the own land.

It should be made clear that the Indian Oilfield Act 1948 is an out-dated Act as it was passed before Manipur was merged with India; therefore, this Act is needed to be amendment, he urged.

In the public meeting Mr. Sapam Ranjan (Pradhan, Torbung G.P), Mr. K Paul Kapyung (Secretary, Young Vaiphei Association), Ms. K Aruna (Secretary, Nupi Khunai Semgat Lup, Phougakchao Ikhai), Mr. Majabung Gangmei (Speaker, Zalinaglong Baudi) and Mr. N Rajesh (General Secretary, Citizen Initiative Manipur)

Speaking in the meeting Majabung Gangmei, of ZB highlighted some reality of how the oil companies tried to obtain N.O.C from the villagers for the oil exploration work in Tamenglong area.

He recalled the Jubiliant Company had approached most of the villages located in the Tamenglong area without informing the DRP and also without disclosing any documents related to oil exploration work in Manipur.

The government of India has granted the Asian Oilfiled Service Limited to conduct the oil exploration work in Manipur but without being informed to the general masses, which is of very unfortunate, he lamented.

Meanwhile a public meeting on similar issue was jointly organised by villages such as Charoi, Ponrinjuang, Taokomjeag, Ranginag, Thingou, Okoklong and Namduwnjang at Taokomjeag village community hall, Noney.

A rally was alsoorganised to spread the mass awareness to the villagers of Noney area and also to the villagers of the neighbouring villages with regard to the negative impact of oil exploration work and other mining of resources in the state of Manipur.

The meeting also resolved to stop all kind of extraction of natural resources including the ongoing 2D seismic survey by the Asian Oilfiled Service Limited, and to protect the natural resources for the future generation.

The program was attended by Thonchaling Kamei, chairman Charoi Pandongba, Senapati district, Ka Phunsingpao Kamei, Baorei Kamsuan (elder of Namdonjang village) and Benjamin Rongmei, convenor YFPHR, Noney district.