Prestone clears govt stand on uranium mining

SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said on Monday the state government would not allow uranium mining till people give their consent.
Talking to media persons here, Tysnong said the government was not aware of the exploration drilling by Atomic Mineral Division (AMD) in South West Khasi Hills.
Tynsong has asked the deputy commissioner of South West Khasi Hills to seek clarification from UCIL, which was carrying out the drilling through AMD, if they are continuing with the drilling in the district.
Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo had already spoken to the regional director of AMD Shillong seeking clarification on the exact nature of the ongoing activities.
Stating that the AMD had claimed that it got permission from land owners, the deputy chief minister said the argument is not acceptable since it was supposed to get NOC from the district administration and the KHADC.
“In fact, the Cabinet had earlier taken a decision to stop all activities relating to exploring of uranium deposits in South West Khasi Hills,” he said.
“The government will go ahead with the project only if people feel that there is no danger from mining of uranium,” said Tynsong.
To a query, he said there was no fresh communication from the Centre with regard to the uranium mining project in the state.
KHADC chief executive member HS Shylla on Monday alleged that AMD was bypassing the state government and the KHADC.
The members of the executive committee of the KHADC will visit Mawthabah on August 2 to see the nature of activities in Mawthabah-Wahkaji area days after its officials were assaulted and property damaged.
Shylla on Monday termed the activities of AMD as illegal. He said the KHADC had also written to DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh to stop any activity pertaining to uranium mining and it was assured that no mining would take place.
“Then why they are continuing with the activity,” Shylla said and added that even the Mukul Sangma-led government had directed UCIL to stop work.
Shylla alleged that AMD is bypassing the state government and the KHADC.