AHRC voices concern over uranium mining

SHILLONG: The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has started an appeal programme against the uranium mining in Meghalaya.
A recent report on Meghalaya by AHRC details the situation in Domiasiat and other villages.
According to AHRC, in Photjaud and Tynnai villages there were about one hundred small boring pits and the response from the Central Pollution Control Board, Shillong, is that the air or water pollution due to uranium mining is not being monitored by the Board.
The two villages have reported that there are 93 children below the age of 13-15 that are mentally and physically disabled.
The AHRC letter mentions a woman, 85-year-old Spillity Lyngdoh, who had rejected money to sell her land to UCIL. She lost her 54-year-old son to throat cancer.
“It was reported that fish in the rivers are diseased. Several adults in the Domiasiat village suffered from muscular diseases, seizures, epilepsy and cancer. Similar findings were reported from other villages,” the AHRC said.
Approximately 46 women have experienced miscarriages after 5-7 months of pregnancy from 2009-2015.
Almost all villagers have respiratory problem. It was also reported that the Ranikor river changed colour. It turned from blue to green and fish in the river started dying since 2010, the AHRC claimed.
AHRC has urged people to write letters to the authorities suggesting that all uranium mining pits in Meghalaya be filled besides ensuing renovation or repair of the cement tanks in the Nongbahjynrim and Domiasiat villages which have developed major cracks.
The commission also suggested adequate healthcare facilities for villagers and tribals affected by uranium mining.
In addition, the commission is writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for their intervention.