SHILLONG, June 6? The Meghalaya Peoples? Human Rights Council (MPHRC) and the Hill State Peoples? Dmocratic Party (HSPDP) have strongly opposed any move to carry out uraniam mining at Domiasiat in the West Khasi Hills district on the ground that radiation from the mineral would pose health hazards, besides affecting the environment.
Both HSPDP president H.S.Lyngdoh, MLA and MPHRC secretary general DDG Dympep taking part at a national seminar on Environmental and Sociological Implications of Mineral and Oil Exploration in North-east India? held here Thursday, expressed concern over the proposed move by the Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. (UCIL) to carry out uranium mining at Domiasiat. They alleged that people living in the vicinity of the spot where uranium was explored, have already shown symptoms of several acute diseases.
It may be mentioned here that talking to reporters, the chairman of the UCIL Dr R. Gupta had allayed fears of any health or environmental hazards in the event of uranium mining.
Dr. Gupta had expressed optimism that with proper ?education? the missgivings in the minds of the people regarding uranium mining would be removed and UCIL would be able to go ahead with the project which has been pending for over a decade.
Uranium mining would provide benefits to the people of the West Khasi Hills in particular and the State as a whole, Dr Gupta had assured while citing the example of Jaduguda in Jharkhand where uranium mining has brought dividends to the local tribal population in terms of economic growth and enhancement of education and health care facilities.