Editor,
The UCIL tender for mining of uranium without the consent of Constitutional institutions such as the District Council, the State Govt while also sidelining the consent of the land owners is illegal. The Govt of India might be desperate for regular uninterrupted domestic supply of the mineral and that is understandable, but to forcibly impose its diktat on the state and its people, especially in the face of fierce public opposition to uranium mining is not acceptable. UCIL needs a rethink on how it proposes to mine uranium deposits in Meghalaya as strong arm tactics in a democracy is anti- people. New Delhi needs to talk to the people of Meghalaya.
Whether UCIL can mine uranium or not is a domestic issue of India to be decided by its citizens and the TUR attempt to drag third party intervention and to Internationalise the issue (TUR pamphleteering to Bangladesh delegates who came to the NADI Festival to oppose mining) deserves condemnation from all sensible Indians. While we vehemently disagree with New Delhi’s attempts to forcibly mine a strategic mineral without the consent of the locals but to appeal for third country intervention on the matter in an attempt to browbeat India from mining a mineral within Indian territory is a cheap, dirty gimmick that is not only the by- product of a sick mind but is also anti-Indian and anti- national. Nothing can change this fact.
The attention of the reader is drawn to a similar attempt by anti Indian forces (read Pakistan) to debar India from becoming member of the NSG in a recent international meet is still fresh in our minds. Here too Pakistan and its ISI successfully used a third party, China, to block Indian attempts at NSG membership. A common trick used by the ISI, in Kashmir for example, is to use its moles (local spies posing as Indian citizens but really working for Pakistan) to provoke misguided local elements in fomenting trouble for India. Is this also happening in Meghalaya? At this juncture a question that begs an answer is – who is TUR and who sponsors its anti- India activities? Will an RTI expose these hidden links? I learnt that one of its prominent members is a pastor. Is the church taking responsibility for all his political activities outside the church?
Yours etc.,
Yogesh Narain,
Via email
Politics of obstruction
Editor,
The underdeveloped and neglected West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills are on the verge of losing the two-lane road from Nongstoin-Wahkaji-Mawthabah thanks to the anti uranium mining groups particularly the KSU. Those of you who don’t know, will be surprised that in the whole of West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills there isn’t a single good road, except the recently built Shillong-Tura road that passes through West Khasi Hills. Such is the pathetic condition of the two districts. Worse, is the state of roads in the Wahkji-Mawthabah area or what we call as Langrin area. One should visit the area to understand the zero development there. It is therefore, sacrilegious for groups to oppose construction of a two lane road in such a backward area. People in the area consider this as a blessing and have already parted with their land to pave way for this centrally sponsored road because they have had enough hardship to endure. A bus journey from Phlangdiloin to Shillong takes the whole day in the ever bumping and tiring road. Imagine the sick, the old and infirm! When roads like the Shillong- Guwahati, Shillong -Jowai road are afflicted with potholes there is a hue and cry. Even children write letters to the editor. But for sections of people in the state an un-motorable road is fine for all of their lives. They are condemned to live without good roads even after more than 40 years of statehood. Is it not shameful?
As mentioned the people of the area are eagerly awaiting this road. The only thing is they have no voice and are not empowered. Groups favouring construction of this kind of road like the West Khasi Hills Student Union (WKHSU) are now silenced. While groups like the JSU are becoming shriller and stronger the WKHSU have stopped speaking for the people and have now become defunct. The opposing pressure group like the KSU will come to conduct what they call the “public hearing” or public meeting which will be nothing but a monologue. Political parties that favour development too don’t dare to go against these powerful anti -development groups because they know the implications. More can be said but to me it is criminal to stop a road for such voiceless people.
Yours etc.,
Albert Thyrniang,
Via email