By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 20: Amid fresh concern over uranium mining following a recent office memorandum (OM) issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change exempting uranium mining from mandatory public consultations, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has asserted that it is ready to face any consequences but will continue to oppose uranium mining in the state.
KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar on Saturday said they strongly reject the OM issued by the central government. “By doing away with mandatory public consultations and silencing the voice of the people, this move shows that the central government does not respect the rights of the indigenous people,” Marngar said.
Reiterating the union’s stand, the KSU chief warned that they would resist uranium mining in Meghalaya “till their last breath” and “fight till the last drop of blood” regardless of the consequences.
The recent OM, which exempts uranium mining from the mandatory public consultation process, has sparked concerns in uranium-rich Meghalaya, where previous attempts to extract the mineral have repeatedly faced strong local resistance.
Meghalaya is home to one of the country’s largest uranium reserves, particularly in Domiasiat, Wahkaji, and the adjoining areas of West Khasi Hills.
Successive proposals to tap uranium deposits have been stalled for over two decades amid health, environmental, and rights-related concerns.
