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NESO reiterates support to anti-pipeline project campaign
Students in India's northeastern states have reiterated their support to the campaign against the proposed pipeline project that will connect Burma's western coast to Kolkata for importing gas from military-ruled Burma to India.
Mungpi
Mizzima News: 2 November, 2006
Students in India's northeastern states have reiterated their support to the campaign against the proposed pipeline project that will connect Burma's western coast to Kolkata for importing gas from military-ruled Burma to India.
As a first step of the campaign, the North-East Student Organisation, the apex student body of northeastern India, organized a seminar on the proposed India-Burma gas pipeline project, during its four-day annual conference, held from October 30 to November 2, 2006.
NSN Lotha, general secretary of NESO told Mizzima, "The participants are very keen to learn about the pipeline project. And many participants heard of the project for the first time and wish to know more about it."
Lotha said the NESO plans to promote awareness among students and the people of northeast India about the possible impacts that the pipeline project would have.
India, which is in a race with Thailand and China to gain the right to import natural gas from Burma's offshore oil fields in Arakan state, has planned to build an estimated US $1 billion pipeline project to transport the gas from Burma.
According to the proposed project, the pipeline route would start from Burma's western coast in Arakan state and make its way through Chin State. On the Indian side it will pass through Mizoram, Assam to West Bengal state.
Environmental and rights activists are concerned over the possible environmental damage, human rights abuses, such as forced relocation of villages along the pipeline route and forced labour.
Political activists said business deals with Burma at this juncture will further strengthen the military dictators, which suppresses and abuses the rights of its citizens. It urged the government of India to re-consider the proposed business deals with the junta.
"Our campaign is to promote awareness among the people regarding the consequences of the project… the pipeline will have --- the social, environmental and economic impacts," Lotha said.