A BJP member claiming to head the North East Sunshine Trust (NEST) has stated that the letter to Minister of State for Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh seeking to restart the shelved uranium mining project in the state was leaked on social media.
Elizabeth Matthews Nongbri had in the letter claimed that her team has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) to restart the project.
“We deeply regret the contents of the letter which has been inadvertently been released on social media by unknown persons. Our organization does not intend to either propagate or support any such project,” she said in a letter to Khasi Students Union (KSU) president Lambokstar Marngar.
She stated that the letter being a draft, has not been dispatched to the addressee. Tendering an apology to the KSU, Nongbri added, “The interest of upholding of our culture, social norms and age-old traditions form the backbone of all activities undertaken by us. We will never undertake any activity that would cause hurt to Khasi society.”
The letter had stoked controversy as the uranium mining issue is seen as sensitive to the local indigenous tribes of Meghalaya.
The FKJGP was the first to react to the letter and warned the state government not to allow individuals or organisations to create trouble in the state.
FKJGP general secretary, Eldie N Lyngdoh said that the issue of uranium mining is a closed chapter due to opposition from the public.
Meanwhile, the Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) in a statement today said that they will not allow uranium mining in the state and warned that it will not tolerate interference from any quarter on the issue since it is a matter of life and death of the people.
