Shillong, August 2: The North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) has expressed appreciation to the state government for withdrawing permission given to Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) for pre-commercial mining activities including road construction before commercial mining permission is given at various levels.
In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Tuesday, Rev. Dr. P. B. M. Basaiawmoit Consultant to NEDF said, “We deeply appreciation the decision of the Chief Minister for having rescinded the 2009 permission given to UCIL for pre-mining activities, including that of road construction in the State.”
Observing that the area is one of the social and economic back waters of the State, he suggested that the State’s Public Works Department should take up the matter of road construction in right earnest beginning with repair work of the existing roads including from Mawranglang to Rangblang, survey work to be done for connecting many villages by road network and so requiring survey budget of PWD.
“I had attended the World Uranium Hearing held in Salzburg, Austria during 13 – 18 September, 1992 as we had initiated the opposition to uranium mining in any form since then. There at Salzburg, we listened to stories of the negative impact of uranium mining for generations to come – on everyday life, livelihood, soil, air, water, environment and biodiversity,” he said.
“In 1992, we had declared that the Khasi and Jaintia Hills be a Nuclear Free Zone as we do not want uranium mined from these hills used for manufacturing nuclear weapons to threaten communities, nations and to the extent to use the same against an enemy that pursues of path of violence which could include pogrom,” he said.
