DIMAPUR, Nov 20 NNN : The Zeliangrong Baudi of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland (ZB-AMN) in its ‘general assembly’
held at Beisumpuikam in Peren district of Nagaland on November 16, had resolved to ban all oil exploration activities
by any agency in the Zeliangrong areas of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, till the Zeliangrong customary practices
and usages have been recognised and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is executed between Zeliangrong
Baudi, respective state governments, ancestral land owners or village councils and between the corporate
undertaking oil and natural gas.
“All such agreements or MoUs shall be subject to further resolutions of the Zeliangrong Baudi together with
landowners to that effect and shall strictly confine to the customary practices and laws. All the lands of the
Zeliangrongs are fully vested and owned and as per the customs , usage and inheritances and are not subject to any
statutes.
The Zeliangrong Baudi also extended its support and appreciation to the government of Nagaland and the cabinet
sub-committee for passing the Nagaland Oil and Natural Gas Regulation based on Article 371 (A).
Organised by Manipur Pollution Control Board, a public hearing on oil exploration in Manipur
with specific reference to seismic aspects to oil exploration and drilling will be held at Ankhasuo also known as
Sibapurikhal in Churachandpur district, about 35km from Jiribam town on November 21. For this very purpose, Hill
Areas Committee (HAC), government of Manipur chairman and Tipaimukh constituency legislator Dr.Chaltonlien
Amo and Churachandpur deputy commissioner Jacintha Lazarus have already reached Jiribam on November 20.
They will be escorted to the village tomorrow where a public hearing is slated to be held amidst tight security
arrangement. Journalists from Silchar representing various national and local media will also attend the hearing.
The Netherland-based Jubilant Oil and Gas Pvt Ltd. was offered exploration rights in two blocks of Manipur by the
Union Ministry of Petroleum in 2009 in 3,957 sq km in the Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Imphal East districts.
The Hmar Inpui (Hmar Supreme House) and the Village Authority Association of Tipaimukh Sub Division,
Churachandpur district, Manipur had on November 15 made a press release wherein they voiced strongly against oil
exploration in the Hmar areas. The total land area granted for oil exploration is 3850 sq.km. which is almost one sixth
of the total geographical area of Manipur, the two associations stated. The drilling site will be located at 12 Hmar
villages in Churachanpur and Imphal East districts.
Several protests have been organised against oil exploration moves in Manipur’s Hmar areas, including the ongoing
environmental public hearings organized by the Manipur Pollution Control Board.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/zeliangrong-baudi-on-oil-exploration/
