SHILLONG, Oct 8: Amidst the growing tension and protest on the contentious issue of uranium mining and the pre-project development activities, Meghalaya Governor RS Mooshahary sought to set at rest speculations and apprehensions in the minds of some sections of the people and NGOs regarding mining of the radio-active mineral.
The Governor, at a function to mark the birth centenary of pioneer scientist of India’s atomic energy programme Homi Jehangir Bhabha at the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research in Shillong said the people were made to understand that uranium mining is meant to produce atom bombs. He said, “They are either being made to misunderstand or failed to understand the objective of uranium mining. This is far from reality.” Mooshahary said India is committed to the peaceful use of atomic energy. He said, “The policy of the government is clear that nuclear weapons would not be used against the enemy. We must also remember that the Centre and the State Government are not colonizers and Meghalaya is not a colony but a constituent of the federal polity with constitutional responsibilities.”
Taking a dig at the NGOs protesting uranium mining, Mooshahary said, “How can the Centre become anti-people? Is it just because it wanted to mine uranium in the State?” Stating that there was exploration of uranium in Domiasiat in West Khasi Hills in 1988 and 1992, he said, on his visit to the area, he found no impact of this on either the health or the security of the people living in the uranium-rich areas. “If anyone wants to know about health hazards, please talk to the scientists not to people in the bazaar,” Mooshahary said.
Mooshahary said the fear of influx from outsiders into the State, if uranium mining is taken up, cannot be accepted. He cited that when the Umiam (Barapani) Hydel Project was set up, there were similar protests on the ground that it would lead to influx of outsiders. However, he said, the apprehensions ultimately proved to be unfounded. “We have to compete with people, and development comes through competition,” he said.
Referring to the leasing out of land to UCIL in the uranium-rich areas of West Khasi Hills, he said, no one could buy land in the area and that land would be transferred to the people after development.
While appealing those, who still fear that uranium mining would cause health hazards, to “rethink,” the Governor asked, “Why don’t you oppose coal mining, which has caused health hazards and destroyed land through unscientific process of mining leaving people homeless?” THE SENTINEL
The Governor, at a function to mark the birth centenary of pioneer scientist of India’s atomic energy programme Homi Jehangir Bhabha at the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research in Shillong said the people were made to understand that uranium mining is meant to produce atom bombs. He said, “They are either being made to misunderstand or failed to understand the objective of uranium mining. This is far from reality.” Mooshahary said India is committed to the peaceful use of atomic energy. He said, “The policy of the government is clear that nuclear weapons would not be used against the enemy. We must also remember that the Centre and the State Government are not colonizers and Meghalaya is not a colony but a constituent of the federal polity with constitutional responsibilities.”
Taking a dig at the NGOs protesting uranium mining, Mooshahary said, “How can the Centre become anti-people? Is it just because it wanted to mine uranium in the State?” Stating that there was exploration of uranium in Domiasiat in West Khasi Hills in 1988 and 1992, he said, on his visit to the area, he found no impact of this on either the health or the security of the people living in the uranium-rich areas. “If anyone wants to know about health hazards, please talk to the scientists not to people in the bazaar,” Mooshahary said.
Mooshahary said the fear of influx from outsiders into the State, if uranium mining is taken up, cannot be accepted. He cited that when the Umiam (Barapani) Hydel Project was set up, there were similar protests on the ground that it would lead to influx of outsiders. However, he said, the apprehensions ultimately proved to be unfounded. “We have to compete with people, and development comes through competition,” he said.
Referring to the leasing out of land to UCIL in the uranium-rich areas of West Khasi Hills, he said, no one could buy land in the area and that land would be transferred to the people after development.
While appealing those, who still fear that uranium mining would cause health hazards, to “rethink,” the Governor asked, “Why don’t you oppose coal mining, which has caused health hazards and destroyed land through unscientific process of mining leaving people homeless?” THE SENTINEL
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