Uranium mining: HSPDP MDC backs KSU

FROM A REPORTER

SHILLONG, June 21: HSPDP MDC Sohryngkham constituency Pyniaid Sing Syiem while moving a resolution on the second day of the KHADC summer session said he supports the Khasi Students Union (KSU) and Federation of Khasi Jaintia Garo People (FKJGP) for raising the issue at different levels to oppose mining of uranium in the state.

“I support the KSU and FKJGP which has raised the issue of uranium mining in the state at different levels by demanding that NOC should not be issued to any company looking to mine and extract uranium from our state,” he said.

Syiem moved a resolution urging the Executive Committee (EC) to ban all intention to mine uranium within the jurisdiction of the Council, to which KHADC CEM PN Syiem assured that the EC of the People’s Democratic Forum (PDF), is very clear on its stand not to give any consent when it comes to uranium mining.  

According to him, the intention of the central government through various departments is to come to the state and mine uranium.

He said the people of the state has become more aware of the dangers if uranium is extracted and it will be a huge loss to state not in terms of wealth but in terms of health.

“Even scientists have explained the dangers of uranium when it comes to radiation and its other harmful effects when extracted,” he said.

Stating that the EC should not entertain any company looking to mine uranium, he said, “We must always say ‘No’ to uranium mining.”

He observed that all the developmental projects in the region are meaningless if the people do not have proper health.

In reply to the resolution moved by the MDC from Sohryngkham, Executive Member (EM) in-charge Land & Market Hadrian Lyngdoh said, “Uranium is a subject matter of the central government but if there is an understanding or agreement on the subject by all members at KHADC it will pose a huge obstacle to the center to mine uranium in the state.”

He added, “We know that uranium can have a harmful effect on the health of the people and based on this the EC will examine the matter further.”