By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Khasi Student’s Union (KSU) on Sunday reiterated its opposition to the proposed uranium mining in the State.
Reacting to the recent statement of Governor RS Mooshahary, who advocated the mining of uranium in Meghalaya, the KSU stated that its long opposition to the project is based on fears of the hazardous effects of mining of the mineral.
Mooshahary had advocated mining of the highly radio-active mineral as the state would benefit in terms of power and employment generation.
KSU general secretary Augester Jyrwa said that the union is opposing the proposed project on the grounds that it would degrade the environment and precipitate health hazards in and around the mines.
”We understand that the Government of India is very much in need of Uranium but we cannot compromise on the issue given the kind of danger it could pose”, Jyrwa added. Meanwhile, opposing the proposed uranium mining in the State, the Indigenous Biodiversity & Social Welfare Organisation (IBSWO), Meghalaya, has stated that so far, no technology, scientific or otherwise has been able to vouch for safe and hazard free mining of uranium anywhere in the world.
“No study has been able to guarantee radiation free environment, i.e. over and above the natural permissible limit of radon gas in the atmosphere”, IB&SWO senior adviser Rev PBM Basiawmoit said.
“Even India’s nuclear power plants are not safe and as per the CAG Report of March-ending 2012 , the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) functioning has found it wanting,” Rev Basaiawmoit added.