SHILLONG, Sept 21: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) today launched its second part of agitation in its series of ‘peaceful protest’ against the Cabinet decision to lease out land to Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) by distributing pamphlets to the public stating the ill-effects of the pre-project development programmes at the uranium mining site in West Khasi Hills.
On Saturday, the KSU had burnt effigies of the government and UCIL kick-starting its series of agitation programmes in protest against the government’s decision. Today, four-page leaflets were distributed all over Khasi-Jaintia Hills by the KSU, which is joined by the Langrin Youth Welfare Association (LYWA).
KSU president Samuel B Jyrwa said the pamphlets are aimed at creating awareness among the public on the ill-effects of uranium mining and the aftermath of the pre-project development programme of UCIL at Mawthabah areas in West Khasi Hills.
Pointing out that UCIL has been trying to mine the ore in the State since 1990 but stopped by anti-uranium mining groups and social organizations, Jyrwa said, “UCIL again wants to mine the ore because of the support it has got from the government and certain groups who want to meet their own selfish interest.” He added: “The government which is responsible for protecting the land has now turned an agent or a contractor involved in the trade of land.”
Quoting a lawyer from Peru Dr Elias Carreno Peralta the pamphlets stated, “Uranium, the heaviest mineral, is known as ayacachi which means salt of death or salt that kills.” Citing examples of the effect uranium has on health in countries like Yucca in America, South Dakota, Jadugoda and the Aborigines in Australia, the social organizations said that uranium caused misery and pain to the people of those areas. “Since 1947, over 86,000 employees and residents of Yucca were affected with Leukaemia, impotency, epilepsy and cancer,” the anti-mining groups said, adding that even in South Dakota over 70 per cent of infants suffered from breathing problems and 38 per cent women experienced miscarriage.
Stating that scientists all over the world have testified the ill-effects of uranium, the KSU and the LYWA said it not only affects human and living things but brings about total destruction to the environment also.
Reiterating that they are not against development, the social organizations said that the pre-project development programme of UCIL for a period of 30 years at 422 hectares of land in West Khasi Hills was a total sell out of the land as the infrastructure activities like construction of roads, schools, hospital and electricity were for the benefit of UCIL only. The development programme of UCIL is a precursor to uranium mining in the state.
The pamphlet distribution against the Cabinet decision will continue till tomorrow followed by a public rally on September 23 at Motphran. THE SENTINEL
On Saturday, the KSU had burnt effigies of the government and UCIL kick-starting its series of agitation programmes in protest against the government’s decision. Today, four-page leaflets were distributed all over Khasi-Jaintia Hills by the KSU, which is joined by the Langrin Youth Welfare Association (LYWA).
KSU president Samuel B Jyrwa said the pamphlets are aimed at creating awareness among the public on the ill-effects of uranium mining and the aftermath of the pre-project development programme of UCIL at Mawthabah areas in West Khasi Hills.
Pointing out that UCIL has been trying to mine the ore in the State since 1990 but stopped by anti-uranium mining groups and social organizations, Jyrwa said, “UCIL again wants to mine the ore because of the support it has got from the government and certain groups who want to meet their own selfish interest.” He added: “The government which is responsible for protecting the land has now turned an agent or a contractor involved in the trade of land.”
Quoting a lawyer from Peru Dr Elias Carreno Peralta the pamphlets stated, “Uranium, the heaviest mineral, is known as ayacachi which means salt of death or salt that kills.” Citing examples of the effect uranium has on health in countries like Yucca in America, South Dakota, Jadugoda and the Aborigines in Australia, the social organizations said that uranium caused misery and pain to the people of those areas. “Since 1947, over 86,000 employees and residents of Yucca were affected with Leukaemia, impotency, epilepsy and cancer,” the anti-mining groups said, adding that even in South Dakota over 70 per cent of infants suffered from breathing problems and 38 per cent women experienced miscarriage.
Stating that scientists all over the world have testified the ill-effects of uranium, the KSU and the LYWA said it not only affects human and living things but brings about total destruction to the environment also.
Reiterating that they are not against development, the social organizations said that the pre-project development programme of UCIL for a period of 30 years at 422 hectares of land in West Khasi Hills was a total sell out of the land as the infrastructure activities like construction of roads, schools, hospital and electricity were for the benefit of UCIL only. The development programme of UCIL is a precursor to uranium mining in the state.
The pamphlet distribution against the Cabinet decision will continue till tomorrow followed by a public rally on September 23 at Motphran. THE SENTINEL
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