Reaction to mining

SHILLONG, Oct 14: Like the embedded uranium ore that is caught between the warring anti and pro-mining groups, there are common people in uranium deposit sites whose voice is embedded with bamboozling thoughts over the issue. The sentinel’s visit to the proposed uranium mining villages unveiled the people’s perplexity.

Amidst claims and counter-claims by the warring groups, there are people in the area who are still not committed either to the pro or the anti-uranium groups because they are still unaware of the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed uranium mining. A resident of Mawnore said on condition of anonymity, “Although, my priority is to see development of our neglected places, yet I am in a dilemma because two different groups gave different explanations over the issue”.

Another group of people from Nongtnger village also expressed their concern over possible health hazards, ecological destruction and threat of influx; yet the developmental packages promised by UCIL is too tempting. UCIL has promised Rs 209 crore pre-mining development package to uranium mining belts of West Khasi Hills as a precursor to the Rs 10,000-crore uranium mining project.

Expressing his catch-22 situation that a section of people is facing on the issue, B Marthong, a local resident, said, “We don’t know which between the two projected contradictory facts to be embraced”. His view was endorsed by his friends, who maintained their wish is not to take the middle path but to take a decision only after they are convinced with the facts on the issue.

Moreover, there are residents in the uranium mining belts who are also going along with any boisterous voice. During interaction with them it was apparent, there are quite a number of them who are getting swayed by the voice of the majority.

The proposed uranium mining belt is in and around Mawthabah-Nongbah-Jynrin. While Friday’s public hearing indicated land owners are ready to accept the uranium mining project, the anti-uranium lobby termed the public hearing conducted by the Assembly Committee on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes as a farce. UCIL has earmarked Rs 10,000 crore for the uranium mining project to extract 9.22 million tonnes of uranium ore in 30 years. THE SENTINEL