SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has firmly stated that his government will not permit uranium mining in the state, highlighting on the need for public consensus and thorough scientific evaluation.
Addressing the press on Tuesday, Sangma affirmed, “We are very clear that without taking people into confidence, without looking at all scientific aspects of things, we are not going to allow uranium mining to take place in our state.”
His statement follows an appeal by a national executive member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Shillong, who advocated for the resumption of uranium mining in the West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.
In her letter to the Minister of State for Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh, Elizabeth Nongbri proposed the revival of uranium mining with the assistance of the North East Sunshine Trust (NEST), an NGO she founded.
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While Sangma acknowledged the right of organisations to communicate with the government, he clarified that such correspondence doesn’t reflect the government’s stance.
“Any organisation can write; I cannot stop organisations from writing to the Government of India but that does not mean it is the stand of the government.” He said.
He, however, refrained from commenting on whether this decision would strain relations with the BJP, an ally in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA).
Earlier, on March 11, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) affirmed its opposition to uranium mining.
The council announced its intention to notify both the Central and state governments about its staunch stand against uranium mining in the state.
KHADC reiterated its refusal to issue any No Objection Certificate (NOC) for exploration or mining activities within its jurisdiction.
Speaking to the press, KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pyniaid Sing Syiem asserted that the council stands firm against any efforts to advance uranium mining project in Kylleng-Pyndengsohiong-Mawthabah, in South West Khasi Hills.
Syiem emphasized the solidarity of 30 KHADC Members of District Council (MDCs) in opposing uranium mining.
