Holes inside AR camp raise suspicions of oil exploration

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 31

North East Dialogue Forum today discovered holes believed to be made during oil exploration survey inside 42 Assam Rifle camp at Kangvai village, Churachandpur during a visit by.

More than eight holes were found in the area with one was fitted with underground pipes surrounded with barbed wires and some of them were covered with soil.

According to a villager, no one knows why the holes were drilled and when they asked the reason for drilling of many holes in the nearby area, they were answered as it is for construction of water pump.

According to one of the officials of 42 Assam Rifles, it is for construction of water pump. While drilling they did not found water, so more holes were drilled in order to find water. One hole has been found from where water can be extracted, official said.

The official further said after fixing a turbine beneath the hole, water is to be extracted. After filling at a reservoir the water will be supplied at nearby areas.

Speaking to the media persons, U. Jenison, member of the North East Dialogue Forum said if the holes are meant for water pumps then why they drilled eight holes in nearby places. If they want to construct water reservoir then they can pump water from the stream which is near the holes they drilled.

He said Kangvai village is included in the map of crude oil found in the state and the process of drilling for water pump is also suspicious. “We have a suspicion that Armed Forces Special Power Act 1957 is not to contain insurgency but to extract the natural resources easily,” he said.

Experts and authority concerned should investigate into the matter and find the real reason at the earliest as drilling could be for exploration on oil, he demanded.