1)
Resolution of the Public Consultation on “Tipaimukh Dam and Forest Clearance”,
organized by the Citizens’ Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD), Committee
on Land and Natural Resources (COLNER), Committee on the Protection of Natural
Resources in Manipur (CPNRM), North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) And The Action
Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam Project (ACTIP) Held At Manipur Press Club,
Imphal On 9 July 2013
The participants of the one day
public consultation on “Tipaimukh dam and Forest Clearance” organized by the
Citizens Concern for Dams and Development, Committee on Land and Natural
Resources, Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur, North
East Dialogue Forum and the Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam Project,
held at Manipur Press Club on 9 July 2013 hereby:
1) Affirm that the forest,
land, rivers and other natural resources of Manipur are crucial for the
sustenance of endemic flora and fauna and the survival of several indigenous
communities.
3) Further affirms indigenous
peoples’ self determined rights over our land, forest and resources and to
develop and define all development priorities in Manipur as also outlined in
the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007.
3) Express concern that the
Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forest
(MoEF) is meeting on 11-12 July 2013 to consider the proposed 1500 MW Tipaimukh
Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project for “Forest Clearance”
4) Further express concern that
for the possible “Forest Clearance”, the FAC of MoEF is relying for reports of
a one day aerial survey of officials of Government of India, and also the
request from the Government of Manipur and the North Eastern Electric Power
Corporation, all of which recommended for felling 7.8 million trees and 27,000
bamboo in Manipur without proper and comprehensive impact assessment due to
proposed Tipaimukh dam construction.
5) Recall that the Ministry of
Environment and Forest of the Government of India conceded “Environment
Clearance” in October 2008 for the proposed Tipaimukh Dam project despite
peoples’ objections in all the five public hearings held from the year 2004
till 2008.
6) Also recall that an MoU was signed with the Government of Manipur,
the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited
(SJVNL) on 28th April 2010, reaffirmed on
22nd October 2011, without obtaining the Free, Prior
and Informed Consent (FPIC) of all affected communities in Manipur, Mizoram and
Assam.
7) Remind of the
recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of All forms of Racial
Discrimination in 2011 on Tipaimukh Dam not to construct the dam without the
free prior and informed consent of all affected indigenous peoples.
The
participants further resolved that:
1) The Forest Advisory
Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Government of
India should desist from granting Forest
Clearance for the proposed Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project as
this would amount to clear cut violation of the rights of indigenous peoples in
Manipur.
2) The FAC of the MoEF should also take cognizance that all
Indigenous Peoples of Manipur have full rights over their lands and
resources, as also recognized by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples, 2007.
3) The FAC of the MoEF should refrain from making recommendations for
Compensatory Afforestation as Manipur
is such a small State with huge pressure on land and forest already and the
forest to be submerged by Tipaimukh HEP is so
huge that it is irrational
to compensate similar areas in other parts of Manipur with
afforestation.
4) Manipur cannot afford to
sacrifice its forest and to fell 7.8 million trees and 27,000 bamboo groves in
Manipur for a mega project which will wrought widespread havoc on environment
and sufferings on peoples’ lives and future.
5) The MoEF should recommend
revoking the MoU signed on Tipaimukh Dam by the Government of Manipur with National Hydroelectric Project and Sutlej Jal
Vidyut Nigam Limited on 28 April 2010, reaffirmed on 22 October 2011.
6)
The
Government of India should ensure that the proposed 1500 MW Tipaimukh HEP is not constructed without the Free, Prior and Informed Consent
of indigenous peoples.
7)
The
MoEF should revoke the Environment Clearance Granted for Tipaimukh Dam in
October 2008 based on the stern objections by the affected communities in all
the five public hearings from 2004 till 2008.
8) The MoEF should recommend
that the proposed Tipaimukh dam should adhere to the recommendations of the
World Commission on Dams, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
peoples, 2007 and the recommendations from the UN CERD Committee on Tipaimukh
Dam in 2011
3) Resolution of
the Public Consultation on “Livelihood Impacts of 105 MW Loktak HEP
Project & Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Act, 2006 on Communities”,
organized by the All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen’s Union, the All Manipur
Thanga Peoples Welfare Association, the Committee on the Protection of Natural
Resources in Manipur and the Citizens Concern for Dams and Development on 28
September 2013, at Thanga Haoreng Chingyang, Manipur
The
participants of the Public Consultation on “Livelihood Impacts of 105 MW Loktak
Project and Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 on Communities” held on 28th
September 2013 at Thanga Haoreng Chingyang by the All Loktak Lake Areas
Fishermen’s Union, the All Manipur Thanga Peoples Welfare Association, the
Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur and the Citizens
Concern for Dams and Development hereby adopted the following
observations:
1) Loktak wetlands are the
primary source of livelihood for many indigenous communities of Manipur,
through fishing, agriculture, livestock grazing, collection of seasonable foods
and medicinal plants etc. The fishing
communities in and around the Loktak Lake have intrinsic and inalienable
survival dependence and relationship with the Loktak wetlands.
2) The commissioning of the 105
MW Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric project is the prime reason of disturbing
and severing the livelihood dependence of indigenous communities in Loktak
Lake, primarily by submerging more than 83,000 hectares of prime agricultural
land and threatening the availability of indigenous fish species and food plant
species.
3) The enactment of the Manipur
Loktak Lake (Protection Act), 2006 (MLLPA) has further threatened the
livelihood dependence of fishing communities on Loktak wetlands. The MLLPA,
2006 is problematic not only due to its exclusive and non participatory nature
of policy formulation but also due its failure to acknowledge the intrinsic
survival dependence of communities with Loktak wetlands and further the non
recognition and violation of their human rights.
4) The Loktak HEP Project and
the promulgation of the Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection Act) 2006 has serious
undermined the food sovereignty of Manipur and fostered food dependency on
outsiders.
5) The Loktak Wetlands and the
unique way of life of communities, including living in floating huts over
floating vegetative mass (phumdis) is a natural and cultural heritage of
Manipur.
The
participants further resolved:
1) Recognize the rights of
intrinsic rights of communities to control and manage Loktak wetlands for
mutual survival and their self determined development of Loktak wetlands based
on their needs and aspirations.
2) Repeal Manipur Loktak Lake
Protection Act, 2006 for its anti people and anti Loktak provisions
3) Review Loktak Multipurpose
Hydroelectric Project for its impacts on Loktak wetlands, including the
proliferation of Phumdis in Loktak Lake and impact on Keibul Lamjao National
Park.
4) Decommission the Ithai
Barrage of Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project
5) Return all agriculture land
submerged by the Loktak Project to communities
6) Stop all forms of Anti
People policy in the guise of development in Loktak wetlands and ensure the
Right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent of all indigenous communities
depending on Loktak Lake for introduction of any development process in Loktak
wetlands.
7) Formulate a comprehensive
Wetlands Management Policy in Manipur based on wise use of communities
depending on the wetland as per guidelines of Ramsar Convention for Community
participation and as per the provision of the UN Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples
8)
Promote the protection of tangible and intangible natural and cultural
heritages of Loktak Wetlands.
3) “Recognize the
rights and protect Human Rights Defenders of Manipur” Resolution Adopted at the
Manipur Convention on Protection of Human Rights Defenders of Manipur” Manipur
Press Club, Imphal, Manipur, 19 October 2013
The
participants of the Manipur State Convention on “Protection of Human Rights
Defenders of Manipur” organized at Manipur Press Club, Imphal, Manipur on 19
October 2013 hereby:
1)
Recalls the role and importance of human rights defenders in an armed conflict
afflicted Manipur to end all forms of human rights violations and to seek
justice, and further, in fostering respect of democratic values, of culture of
rights and in seeking social, economic, environmental, gender, civil and
political justice and their contribution in building sustainable peace.
2)
Expresses concern with the persisting and increasing threats, ill treatment and
harassment of human rights defenders of Manipur by State actors and others for
their human rights activism, for promotion of right to life, right to land and
natural resources, for women’s and children’s rights etc, in the context of
increasing economic liberalization and related development aggressions.
Reiterate that targetting human rights defenders are serious human rights
violations, under India’s national laws, Int’l Human Rights standards and
International Humanitarian Laws.
3)
Further, expresses concern with the
summon of Mr. Jiten Yumnam, a human rights defender on 2 October 2013 by
Police commandoes at Commando complex, Minuthong, without any legal order and
giving any reason and setting premise for further monitoring of his human
rights activism.
4)
Recall the obligations and directions of National Human Rights Commission of
India to uphold the rights, safety and protection of all human rights defenders
of Manipur and across India. Further, recall the 1996 DK Basu Judgement against
arbitrary summon, illegal arrest and torture of innocent people.
5)
Recall the recommendations of Mr. Margaret Saggakya, UN Special Rapporteur on
Human Rights Defenders, in her report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council
following her visit to India in January 2011 to protect the human rights of all
Human Rights Defenders in Manipur and across India.
6)
Expressing concern with the wide misuse of emergency legislations in armed
conflict afflicted Manipur, such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958,
Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967, National Security Act, 1980 which are
used to target Human Rights Defenders to rights violations.
7)
Expressing solidarity with the struggle of human rights defender, Ms. Irom
Sharmila, who’s been on fast for the last 13 years for the repeal of Armed
Forces Special Powers Act, 1958
8)
Expressing concern with the non functioning of the Manipur Human Rights
Commission, due to non appointment of its members, which hinders in seeking
protection and justice for human rights defenders
Recall the UN Declaration on the rights of Human
Rights Defenders 1998 and express our concern with the absence of specific
policy to protect the human rights of all human rights defenders
 |
| Picture: Woman HRD sharing during the Convention |
The
participants of the State Convention on protection of Human Rights Defenders
unanimously adopted the following resolutions:
That
the Government of Manipur and Government of India should:
1)
Recognize the importance and legitimacy of the works of human rights defenders
i.e anyone who “individually and in association with others, promotes and
strives for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental
freedoms at all levels (Article 1 of UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders,
1998).
2)
Ensure the protection of all human rights defenders of Manipur and allow them
to continue heir legitimate human rights work without fear of harassment,
torture and deprivation of their right to life.
3) Stop
targetting all human rights defenders of Manipur to ill treatment, harassment
and degrading treatment, and torture including to Mr. Jiten Yumnam, a
distinguished human rights defender of Manipur, Mandir Laishram etc and to
ensure their safety and protection.
4)
Repeal all emergency laws, which impacts on the security of innocent people and
human rights defenders of Manipur, especially, the Armed Forces Special Powers
Act, 1958, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 and the National
Security Act, 1980.
5) To
drop all charges against internationally renowned human rights defender, Ms.
Irom Sharmila, who is on hunger strike demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces
Special Powers Act, 1958
6)
Ensure the full functioning of the Manipur Human Rights Commission, Manipur
Information Commission and all ombudsman
of welfare schemes, with due appointment of competent and committed members
through a transparent process
6)
Ensure right to information, free exchange of human rights information, freedom
of expression for all human rights defenders of Manipur
7)
Fully implement the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human
Rights Defenders, Ms. Margaret Saggakya in February 2011 during her visit to
country visit to India.
8)
Establish a policy for the protection of human rights defenders of Manipur with
their due consultation in accordance with the UN Declaration on Human Rights
Defenders, 1998.
9)
Formulate policies to end all practice of torture, ill treatment, intimidation,
reprisal, harassment, degrading treatment, clamping false criminal charges of
all human rights defenders and other members of the community in accordance
with the UN Convention against Torture
The participants further resolved to:
1)
Apprise all concerned officials of the Government of Manipur and Government of
India to protect the human rights of all human rights defenders of Manipur
2)
Apprise the National Human Rights Commission of India, visiting and holding
sessions in Manipur from 23rd till 25th October 2013 of
the difficulties faced by the human rights defenders of Manipur. Urge the NHRC
to allocate adequate time to discuss the matter with human rights defenders
during its maiden visit to Manipur. And
further urge the focal point on Human Rights Defenders in National Human Rights
Commission to accord special attention to the situation of human rights
defenders of Manipur.
4)
Resolutions adopted at the community seminars on “Oil exploration in Manipur”
held at Keiphundai village and Oinamlong village, Tamenglong district on 17th
and 18th December 2013, organized by Peoples Endeavour for Social
Change, Naga Women Union and the Committee on the Protection on Natural
Resources in Manipur
We, the participants of the
Seminar on “Oil Exploration in Manipur”, organized by the Naga Women Union
(NWU), Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur (CPNRM) and
Peoples Endeavour for Social Change (PESCH) at Keiphundai Village and Oinamlong
Villages, Tamenglong District, Manipur on 17th and 18th
December 2013 respectively, hereby resolved:
1) That our land, forest, water
and all the resources within our land belong to the indigenous communities of
Manipur and intrinsic for their livelihood and survival.
2) To oppose the ongoing
efforts of the Government of India, Government of Manipur, Jubilant Energy and
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to explore and drill oil (petroleum)
from Tamenglong and Churachandpur Districts and Jiribam Sub Division of Manipur
without informing and taking consent of communities of Manipur
3) To support all stances,
resolution and efforts by communities and all concerned to stop oil exploration
and drilling in Manipur
4) That, the Government of
Manipur and Jubilant Energy should provide all the information related to Oil
and Gas Exploration in Manipur, such as Detailed Project Report, details of
Contracts signed between the Government of India and Jubilant Energy and other
Multinational corporate bodies.
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| Picture: Community Meeting on oil Exploration at Parbung, Churachandpur |
5) The Government of India and
Government of Manipur should stop defining arbitrary, unsustainable and
destructive development priorities and models in Manipur.
6) That the indigenous
communities of Manipur will determine our development priorities based on our
development needs and priorities and in accordance with our intrinsic survival
dependence over our land and resources.
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