‘USA behind anti-uranium lobby’

SHILLONG, Oct 13: Public debate on the vexed proposed uranium mining in Meghalaya has taken a new dimension after a legislator of the Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) aired his comment on the possible role of the United States of America (USA) in instigating the anti-uranium mining lobby in the State.

RV Lyngdoh, a member of the State Assembly Committee on Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, spelt out his suspicion during the public hearing on uranium mining at Mawthabah on Monday. Snubbing the role of the anti-uranium lobby in the State, Lyngdoh told the villagers and eight chiefs of village councils in and around Mawthabah, “I am afraid that these NGOs are being influenced by the United States of America (USA) to stop India’s economic prospect.”

“Let me dare to say that the Moral Armament Movement in Khasi-Jaintia Hills is one of those frontal groups that are upfront to put off the proposed uranium mining in West Khasi Hills,” categorically said the member of the committee and Congress MLA from Mylliem. The Congress legislator also said opposition to the proposed uranium mining in Mawthabah-Nongbahjynrin and Domiasiat areas of West Khasi Hills is opposition to basic amenities to our people.

Referring to the government’s readiness to UCIL’s proposal to develop the area with the earmarked Rs 209 crore, Lyngdoh said these bodies are yet to realize the danger of dancing to the tune of any developed nation’s hints. Extraction of the deposited uranium will foster growth of the country and development of the long-neglected areas in the State, opined Lyngdoh, even as he said opposition to the uranium mining is nothing other than going against the country’s prosperity. He went on to say, the government’s decision to allow UCIL for pre-development projects in the uranium-deposit sites proves the point that the government is with the people.

Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Uranium Mining HDR Lyngdoh in his speech explained the government’s interest to allow mining, but he was apt in saying that it would not go ahead if the locals oppose it. “We have heard your voice and our fact-finding team will go to Jadugoda, Hyderabad to acquire the first-hand knowledge of uranium mining,” he said.

On Friday, two other legislators—Timothy D Shira and Omillo Marak—were part of the Assembly team to visit Mawthabah. Besides a five-hour drive, the committee also had to trek for more than one-and-a-half hour to reach the site. THE SENTINEL