June 12, 2007
Public Hearing on
Uranium Mining
Amidst Protests in Meghalaya By Syed Zarir Hussain
Shillong
Hundreds of police and paramilitary troopers stood guard Tuesday as
authorities in Meghalaya began a public hearing on uranium mining
amidst a general strike and protests by several groups opposing the
government move.
The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board has called for a public
hearing at village Nongbah Jynrin, about 135 km west of capital
Shillong, to elicit local opinion on mining for the yellow cake.
The mandatory hearing is necessary for getting clearance from the
Environment Ministry and subsequently from the Atomic Energy
Regulatory Board (AERB) for carrying out the opencast mining.
"The hearing is going to be held as per schedule before noon Tuesday
with all top Board officials already arriving in the village,"
Meghalaya Chief Minister D.D. Lapang said.
Security forces have been deployed in strength in the area with the
powerful Khasi Students' Union (KSU) enforcing a 36-hour general
strike from 5 a.m. Monday to prevent the public hearing from taking
place, saying emission of radioactive uranium would pose serious
health hazards.
Life in Shillong has been paralysed with all shops, businesses and
government offices remaining closed for the second day Tuesday due
to the strike called by KSU.
"We shall continue with the fight and see to it that the Uranium
Corporation of India is not able to take up exploration work. The
health hazards and risks involved in such a mission is tremendous
and we cannot allow our people to die," John F. Kharshiing, chairman
of the Federation of Khasi States, a powerful tribal group, told
IANS.
Surveys conducted by the Atomic Energy Department show that there
could be up to 10,000 tonnes of uranium in and around Domiasiat,
about 150 km west of Shillong, the area considered to have the
largest and richest sandstone-type deposits in the country.
The uranium ores are spread over a mountainous terrain in deposits
varying from eight to 47 meters.
After initial operations, the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL)
was forced to wind up opencast mining in the mid-90s following a
string of violent protests from local villagers.
The Hills State People's Democratic Party and Khun Hynniewtrep
National Awakening Movement, both partners of the ruling
Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, are opposing
the Rs.8.14 billion mining project.
Rights groups like the Meghalaya People's Human Rights Council and
the Langrin Youth Welfare Association are also lobbying to stop the
mining.
"I shall never allow my land to be used for uranium mining. I am
prepared to die but never give up my fight," said Spillity Langrin
Lyngdoh, an 80-year-old woman from Domisiat area.
A small group of locals led by tribal elder Heas Dienglan are,
however, supporting the mining.
"We think the area surrounding Domisiat would benefit a lot once
uranium mining begins. We were told the UCIL would set up schools
and colleges, hospitals and provide employment to the locals," said
Dienglan.
Uranium is an important mineral ore for making nuclear weapons and
experts said the untapped reserve at Domiasiat could be a potential
resource for India's nuclear research programme.
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