Mr. Baorei Kamsuan, Thoubei Secy, speaking in the meeting he highlighted that since the people have been experiencing a negative impact of the developmental projects in the village due to the construction of railway track. Prior to the construction of the railway track large number of people inhabited in the area were given false promise in the name of providing jobs in every house hold, construction of schools, water system, etc, however, till date the people are fooled by these developmental projects. People living in the area have been restricted from their agricultural land and their livelihoods are threatened due to such projects. As the people living in the hill have not been part of the development and dreaming of the same which was proposed by the companies and the govt, the people excepted without knowing what will happen but now the people are realizing that development projects are to displace the indigenous people in their own land. Likewise the ongoing oil exploration in Manipur will displace many people and their rights on their own land will be snatched by these profit earning companies. Therefore, we should not let it happen again by getting carried away by these false promises by the companies and their agents who are seeking N.O.C in every village. We shall contribute to stop oil exploration in Manipur.
In the meeting Mr. Thongchalung from Pongringluang Village, Mr. Dempuilung Mark from Namduanjang , Mr. Benjamin form Okoklong and Mr. Jenison Member of NEDF was also present along with the women societies, students and village elders.
This Press Release was sent by Mr. P Asen, who is a member of Thoubei (Pei), and can be contacted at youthforum(dot)humanrights(at)gmail(dot)com.