Shillong, May 2: Unmoved by the groundswell of public opinion against uranium mining at Domiasiat in Meghalaya, chief minister D.D. Lapang said his government would take a decision based on technical reports, not emotions and rumours. He told the media at Raj Bhavan last evening that the government had requested Bhaba Atomic Research Centre to assist it in carrying out “an independent study” at Domiasiat. He said the centre was likely to respond positively.
“We will not go by any rumours or emotions. We will depend on studies and feedback, which will tell us what to do”, the chief minister said.
He said there would be no reason not to go ahead with uranium mining if the technical reports negated the perceived health hazards.
The controversy over proposed uranium mining at Domiasiat, in the West Khasi Hills, was in cold storage until four organisations, including the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), threatened to resume their agitation if the Uranium Corporation of India (UCIL) did not quit Meghalaya immediately.
Their move followed a statement by Union minister for mines R. Vyas in Parliament that the process of starting uranium mining at Domiasiat was close to completion.
NGOs and pressure groups immediately made it clear that they would not allow uranium mining under any circumstance. The refrain was that uranium mining would lead to “health problems, alienation of people and influx of outsiders”. A commissioned study by the North Eastern Hill University was described as an “eyewash” and “one-sided”.
However, Lapang did not appear concerned about the resurgence of the mass movement against uranium mining. He stressed the need to find a more practical and feasible solution than asking the UCIL to leave the state.
The chief minister said “sound statistics” on uranium mining were required to officially form an opinion and take a decision on the contentious subject.
On whether he expected the public to continue their resistance to uranium mining even if technical reports cleared it, Lapang said he was confident the people, “barring maybe a few splinter groups”, would co-operate with the government and help it arrive at a rational decision. “We will not go against the wishes of the people, which is why we have invited opinions from all quarters,” he said.
A source said the Congress’ partners in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance could be the main stumbling blocks even if studies were to dispel fears about radiation.
Hill State People’s Democratic Party leader Hopingstone Lyngdoh has been one of the crusaders against uranium mining for the last two decades. The party is a constituent of the ruling coalition.