SHILLONG, July 17: Senior BJP MLA Alexander Laloo Hek on Friday asserted that neither the Centre nor any external agency can push ahead with uranium mining in Meghalaya without the consent of the people and the state government.
Clarifying recent remarks by Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh on uranium exploration, Hek said the minister had made it clear that the Centre has not taken any decision on uranium mining in the state and that the matter remains under examination.
“The Centre will proceed only if there is consent from the people and approval from the state government,” Hek said.
He maintained that if the Meghalaya government and its people oppose uranium mining, there is no question of the Centre or any outside agency imposing the project by force against the wishes of the people.
Hek also said the BJP, a constituent of the NPP-led MDA government, would support the government’s proposed resolution opposing uranium mining if it reflects the aspirations of the people.
“The BJP is part of the MDA-II government and we will support the resolution in accordance with the wishes of the people. We stand with the people on this issue,” he added.
