By Syed Zarir Hussain
IANS
Shillong : Hundreds of police and paramilitary troopers stood guard Tuesday as authorities in Meghalaya began a public hearing on uranium mining amidst a general strike and protests by several groups opposing the government move.
The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board has called for a public hearing at village Nongbah Jynrin, about 135 km west of capital Shillong, to elicit local opinion on mining for the yellow cake.
The mandatory hearing is necessary for getting clearance from the Environment Ministry and subsequently from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for carrying out the opencast mining.
"The hearing is going to be held as per schedule before noon Tuesday with all top Board officials already arriving in the village," Meghalaya Chief Minister D.D. Lapang said.
Security forces have been deployed in strength in the area with the powerful Khasi Students' Union (KSU) enforcing a 36-hour general strike from 5 a.m. Monday to prevent the public hearing from taking place, saying emission of radioactive uranium would pose serious health hazards.
Life in Shillong has been paralysed with all shops, businesses and government offices remaining closed for the second day Tuesday due to the strike called by KSU.
"We shall continue with the fight and see to it that the Uranium Corporation of India is not able to take up exploration work. The health hazards and risks involved in such a mission is tremendous and we cannot allow our people to die," John F. Kharshiing, chairman of the Federation of Khasi States, a powerful tribal group, told IANS.
Surveys conducted by the Atomic Energy Department show that there could be up to 10,000 tonnes of uranium in and around Domiasiat, about 150 km west of Shillong, the area considered to have the largest and richest sandstone-type deposits in the country.
The uranium ores are spread over a mountainous terrain in deposits varying from eight to 47 meters.
After initial operations, the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) was forced to wind up opencast mining in the mid-90s following a string of violent protests from local villagers.
The Hills State People's Democratic Party and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement, both partners of the ruling Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, are opposing the Rs.8.14 billion mining project.
Rights groups like the Meghalaya People's Human Rights Council and the Langrin Youth Welfare Association are also lobbying to stop the mining.
"I shall never allow my land to be used for uranium mining. I am prepared to die but never give up my fight," said Spillity Langrin Lyngdoh, an 80-year-old woman from Domisiat area.
A small group of locals led by tribal elder Heas Dienglan are, however, supporting the mining.
"We think the area surrounding Domisiat would benefit a lot once uranium mining begins. We were told the UCIL would set up schools and colleges, hospitals and provide employment to the locals," said Dienglan.
Uranium is an important mineral ore for making nuclear weapons and experts said the untapped reserve at Domiasiat could be a potential resource for India's nuclear research programme.