Shillong, July 14:The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) today demanded that the Meghalaya government immediately shut down the office of the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) at Nongmensong and formally inform the central government that Meghalaya is unwilling to accept uranium mining.
KSU general secretary Reuben Anderson Najiar said fresh concerns have emerged after Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh recently stated that uranium mining could become a reality in Meghalaya.
“There are clear signs that this issue is being revived. People have started purchasing land in Domiasiat and other uranium-rich areas. Influential individuals, including those with links to the government, have visited these places and persuaded landowners to sell their land,” Najiar told reporters.
He said media reports quoting the Union Minister of State have strengthened the KSU’s belief that the central government is pushing ahead with plans to mine uranium in Meghalaya.
Najiar said the Meghalaya government must back its opposition with concrete action. He urged the state Assembly to pass a resolution opposing uranium mining and send it to the central government.
“Words alone are not enough. A resolution may not have the legal power to override central laws, but it will send a strong political message,” he said.
The KSU also urged the Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills Autonomous District Councils to pass similar resolutions and use the powers granted under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to enact laws prohibiting uranium mining.
He pointed out that uranium deposits are found not only in South West Khasi Hills but also in parts of the Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills, making it important for all three autonomous district councils to take a common stand.
When asked why the AMD office continues to operate in Shillong, the KSU general secretary said, “If the government truly has no intention of mining uranium, then what is the purpose of keeping the AMD office at Nongmensong? It should be closed. As long as the office remains, the issue of uranium mining will never die.”
He reiterated the KSU’s strong opposition, citing the environmental and social damage caused by previous uranium exploration activities.
“We have already seen how even exploratory drilling affected the people, the environment and agriculture. We cannot imagine the consequences if full-scale uranium mining is allowed. We will never permit it,” he said, while warning that any attempt by the Centre to impose uranium mining in Meghalaya would reignite public protests and agitation.
