Union observes Anti-Uranium Day on her 4th death anniv
Our Bureau
MAWKYRWAT/SHILLONG, Oct 28: The resilience and grit of Meghalaya’s ‘Iron Lady’ Spility Lyngdoh Langrin, who bravely opposed uranium mining in the Domiasiat area of South West Khasi Hills until her passing, resonated heavily during the observance of “Anti-Uranium Day” in South West Khasi Hills as well as the state capital, also marking the fourth death anniversary of the anti-uranium activist.
Besides displaying banners in several parts of Shillong, including Khyndai Lad, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) placed a banner outside the office of the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) North Eastern Region in Nongmensong to reaffirm its strong opposition to uranium mining in the Domiasiat-Mawthabah area. One banner outside the AMD office read, “She left us to the clouds. But her legacy and resistance against uranium mining will continue.”
Another banner honoured her resilience, stating, “Late Spility Lyngdoh Langrin, the Iron Lady of Domiasiat, a woman who chose to live in her small humble hut rather than accept crores offered by UCIL.”
In South West Khasi Hills, commemorating her death anniversary, the KSU displayed banners in Mawkyrwat Market and laying a wreath at Langrin’s grave in Domiasiat village, about 50 km from Mawkyrwat, in tribute to her enduring legacy in the fight against uranium mining.
Speaking at the cemetery before placing the wreath, Phrijune Lyngdoh Langrin, son of Late Spility Lyngdoh Langrin, vowed that her children and grandchildren would continue her legacy of resistance. “We will not dishonour our mother, and we will continue to stand with the KSU to oppose and say ‘No’ to uranium mining,” Phrijune said.
President of the KSU South West Khasi Hills District, Forwardman Nongrem, remarked that the issue of uranium mining in Domiasiat is far from over. He claimed to have received information that agents recently visited the Domiasiat-Mawthabah area, attempting to mislead locals about uranium mining. “Though Mei-ieit (grandmother) is no longer with us, her spirit continues to inspire us, and we are always ready to fight against the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) and the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) that seek to deceive our people,” Nongrem asserted.
Other speakers at the event included Wallambok Syiemiong, Chairman of the Synjuk ki Seng Samla Shnong and former vice president of the KSU; Balse Kharbani, general secretary of the FKJGP South West Khasi Hills District; Franklin Syiemiong, general secretary of the KSU West Khasi Hills District; and Pynshaiborlang Rani, Publicity Secretary of the KSU Central Executive Committee.
Alongside former Nongstoin MLA and HSPDP leader Hopingstone Lyngdoh, Spility Lyngdoh Langrin was among the first to lead the anti-uranium mining movement that began in the 1980s.y
“Iron Lady” Spility declined a substantial offer from the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) to lease her land after the Atomic Minerals Directorate conducted exploratory drilling for uranium deposits in 1993. Despite being offered Rs 45 crore for a 30-year lease, she firmly stated, “Money will not buy my freedom.”
Spility inspires Manipur youth body
Meanwhile, honouring the Iron Lady of Meghalaya, the Youth Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) issued a public appeal, urging the people of the Northeast to unite in opposing all forms of mining and land acquisition disguised as development, which they argue violates indigenous rights and self-determination.
On her fourth death anniversary, the forum called on the people of Manipur to draw inspiration from Langrin’s struggle. The forum also questions the motives of extractive industries seeking to expand mining activities in Manipur, including ongoing oil exploration in Tamenglong district and other parts of the state
The forum also expressed solidarity with the KSU’s annual observance of Anti-Uranium Day on October 28 in remembrance of Spility’s legacy.