We are aware that that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India had granted license to Jubilant Oil and Gas Private Limited, based in Noida, under the Eighth round of New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP-VIII) on 19th July 2010 at New Delhi for onland oil block in Manipur, codenamed (AA-ONN-2009/1 and AA-ONN-2009/2).. We express our concern that the Government did not apprise and consult the people of Manipur the people on this contract and that Alpha Geo Private Limited has began extensive surveys for oil explorations in Tamenglong, Jiribam and Churachandpur Districts, where the Zeliangrong, Meitei, Hmar and Kuki peoples resides. We consider this as a direct denial of our universally established right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent, as outlined in several international human rights laws like the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and recommendations of the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial discrimination (Ratified by India on 4th January, 1969), International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Ratified by India on 10th July, 1979) and International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (Ratified by India on 10th July, 1979).  
 
The people are not informed and made aware of the contract and other related details of the exploration plans, including the details of the terms and conditions laid down in the licensing between the Government of India and Jubilant Oil and Gas private Limited. Neither are they involved in the decision making process as to how their resources like petroleum will be used, nor informed as to how they would benefit from the entire process of oil exploration in Manipur. Furthermore, there is no information as to how the oil will be transported, whether new pipelines would be laid and whether these pipelines would be an additional source of environmental catastrophes and rights violations. There has also been no Environmental Impact Assessment, no socio-cultural, socio-economic and political impact assessment due to oil related explorations and drilling works that could also lead to various adverse results like displacement, conflict, cultural, economic and political instabilities, increased militarization, etc.
 
Even with a limited royalty that might be provided to Manipur Government by the oil company, we are nonetheless worried that with the high level of irregularities, corruptions, manipulations, lack of transparency and accountability of the Government of Manipur, it will never reach its peoples.
 
The licensing of petroleum in Manipur to a foreign company with the premise that all hydrocarbon deposits in India belongs to the Union Government under different laws such as the Oil Fields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948, Oil Industry (Development) Act, 1974 completely contradicts the provisions of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007 which mentions clearly that all resources in indigenous peoples’ lands belongs to them and they have exclusive rights to own, control and manage their own resources in accordance to their wishes and aspirations.   
 
Apart from violating the right to self-determination of the people, which is the very essence of democracy, the efforts to explore and drill oil in Manipur also involves a process of blatant disregard for and non application of human rights based approach to development such as the UNDRIP and recommendations of international conventions like the United Nations CERD, CESCR and CCPR that recognize peoples’ rights over their land, resources and development.
 
 
As such, we, the delegates of the One Day Discussion on Oil Exploration, Jiribam, Manipur demands that the Government should:
- Provide detailed information, including the Detailed Project Report, Environment Impact Assessment and Management Plan, oil related disaster response strategies, MOU of the contract between Government of India and Jubilant Oil and Gas Private Limited and Co.  
- Conduct detailed and holistic socio-cultural, socio-economic and socio-political impact assessment with due participation of the community.
- Take the Free, Prior and Informed Consent of the affected communities in Manipur before conducting oil exploration.
- Adhere to human rights based approach to development enshrined in the Constitution of India, central and state government legislations and also of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial discrimination, International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, etc.
 
Until these wishes and aspirations of the communities are appropriately addressed and fulfilled, we call for an immediate suspension to all forms of surveys and other exploration related activities in Manipur. The oil explorations and surveys should not be carried out without the Free, Prior and Informed Consent of the indigenous peoples of Manipur.

Signatories:
1. M. Sanjay,  President, Manipuri Students Federation
2. K. Bijeta Chanu, Vice President, All Manipur Students Union  
3. Th. Brojendro, Member, All Manipur Students Union
4. Y. Ibomcha, Social Worker
5. I. lily, Volunteer, United NGO’s Mission, Manipur
6. N. Mohen,
7. L. Bimola, Jiri Ima Meira Paibi Apunba Lup
8. S. Surjo, Finance Secy, AJMP
9. Hamida Begum, P. Secretary, AJMP
10. N. Nivarani, President, WACAK,
11. Y. Ragini,  Secretary, WACAK
12. N. Dinesh Meitei, Asst, Secretary, JDO
13. L. Romio, Finance Secretary, Democratic Students Alliance Manipur
14. Kh. Puspa, AJMP
15. Henry Joute, Information Secretary, Hmar Students Association
16. Roparlien Hmar, Executive Member, Hmar Students Association, Joint Headquarters, Jiribam
17. P. Birmani, Secretary, ECL
18. N. Kiran, President, All Manipur Students Union
19. K. Babucha, Vice President, Democratic Students Alliance Manipur
20. Th. Gokhulanand, Member, UEYO, Jiribam
21. P. Biren,  Secretary, UEYO, Jiribam
22. S. Padabati, Member, Jiri Ima Meira Paibi Apunba Lup
23. Jacob Panmei, Reporter, Sangai Express, LYC
24. S.Dasini, Member, JIMPAL
25. S. Kiranbala, Member, JIMPAL
26. H. Mema, Vice President, JIMPAL
27. S. Sorojini, Member, JIMPAL
28. Jiten Yumnam, Joint Secretary, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development
29. KH. Haridash, Vice President, TMC
30. M. Pishakmacha, Social Worker
31. M. Maipaksana, Advisor, All Jiribam United Clubs Association
32. L. Shatikumar, President, All Jiribam United Clubs Association
33. Kh. Rebati, Senior Publicity Manager, Centre for Social Development, Imphal
34. M. Kalanjoy, Staff, Centre for Social Development
35. Maika Kamei, Finance Secretary, Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur
36. Majabung Kamei, Advisor, Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur
37. T. Chaoba, Staff, Centre for Social Development
38. L. Amaw, President, Hmar Inpui
39. Dr. Immanuel Varte, Vice - President, All Jiribam Tribal Union
40. R. Boipu, Coordinator, United NGO’s Mission
41. W. Dinesh Meitei, Secretary, Jiribam Development Organization, Jiribam
42. Mr. Ruolkhum, Vice President, Hmar Students Association, Jiribam Joint Headquarters, Jiribam