Anti-Gas pipeline campaign voices concern

Khonumthung News

11 February 2006

The threat arising from the proposed tri nations Gas Pipeline Project was discussed at length by the Conveners of the Anti Gas Pipeline Campaign in Mizoram (AGPCM) at a Press conference on February 9 at the Aizawl Press Club, Mizoram, India.

The nine conveners of the AGPCM told the press that the Tri-Nation Shwe Gas Pipeline Project of India, Burma and Bangladesh which is supposed to pass through Mizoram, poses a grave threat to the environment, culture and economy of the people of the state. The pipeline will affect 400 square kilometers and bring in its wake massive deforestation in the state while the governments and companies will enjoy the revenue earnings involved in the project.  

The members of the committee are not sure about future strategies to block the initiation of the Shwe Gas Pipeline Project. A member told Khonumthung, “We have to conduct more meetings, closely observe government activities and plan our strategy.”

In a Press statement, the AGPCM said that the Shwe Gas Pipeline will run through 400 kilometers and a stretch of 5 kilometers on its side will be reserved and fenced off for security. Mizoram will lose its authority and it will serve as a ‘wall of division’.

The statement further stated that the government of India is under obligation to produce the Environment Impact Assessment and obtain a No Objection Certificate from the people of the areas to be affected. Meanwhile, the Constitution of India incorporates in part IV, article 46 that the “the state shall promote with special care the education and economic interests of the weaker section of the people and in particular the Scheduled Tribe (ST)/ Scheduled Caste (SC) and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.”

“We admire and respect the activists fighting for democracy, sacrificing their lives and struggling against the despotic military junta in Burma. However, the move of the government of India, the largest democracy in the world, is ill timed as it favours the empowerment of the military junta. Freedom is much more favourable then wealth,” said the AGPCM’s statement in support of the democratic movement in Burma. 

South Korea’s Daewoo International Cooperation (DIC) and the Burmese junta signed an exploration contract for the right to carry out oil and gas exploration in Arakan coast in August 2000. A large gas deposit was discovered and confirmed later in December 2003.

DIC holds 60% stake, the Oil and Natural Gas Cooperation (ONGC) 20%, the Gas Authority India Limited (GAIL) 10% and KOGAS of South Korea 10% of the Shwe Gas Project respectively.