IMPHAL: There shall be no public hearings relating to oil exploration in Manipur. On Friday, a public hearing held at Nungba in Tamenglong district had to be wound up following protests from the villagers. The private company had plans to explore oil in 17 different places of the State. The Jubiliant Oil and Gas Private Limited was authorized to explore oil deposits in Manipur.

If the project was approved, exploration works would go ahead. However, there have been oppositions from the villagers in all public hearings. From the very beginning, the Committee on the protection of natural resources in Manipur has been opposing the government move, During the public hearing at Nungba, a large number of villagers had come to disrupt the proceedings.