IMPHAL, March 2: A Sit in protest cum public meeting against the European Union`s (EU) Free Trade Agreement with the Government of India was held today noon jointly organized by the Social Upliftment Centre, Thamnapokpi and People Initiative for Development at Thamnapokpi community hall under Moirang district.
Speaking at the meeting, Adam of the Northeast Dialogue Forum said that the forum had undertaken many awareness programs, sit in protests and rally in different parts of all Northeastern states against the EU free trade agreement. “If the proposed free trade agreement by India with the EU is signed in March, then the EU will have a hold over our natural and mineral resources,” he claimed.
Adding that the northeastern states have many valuable mineral resources, he appealed for support in protesting against the Indo-EU FTA.
Later, a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister of India was submitted demanding that all existing position and draft proposals of the agreement be made public; the current negotiation on FTA to be discussed and debated in the Parliament and state assembly; to take in prior informed consent of the people before the signing the FTA with the European Union; to stop the proposed construction of the Tipaimukh Dam in Churanchanpur district ; to stop the current petroleum exploration in Manipur and the exploitation on Loktak lake and to recognize and respect the right of the indigenous people over their land resources and its management.