LYWA urges PM to stop Uranium project in Meghalaya

Shillong, Feb 10: The Langrin Youth Welfare Association (LYWA) has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to put a stop on the proposed Uranium mining project at Domiasiat-Mawthabah in Meghalaya's West Khasi Hills district.

''The uranium mining in the area would create health hazard as well as large-scale displacement of people,'' the LYWA said in their letter to Prime Minister, adding that about 30,000 people would be displaced by the Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) before the start of mining operation.

The Association said the uranium project would also affect the land usage system in the region. ''Landed property owned by the indigenous people cannot be denied and forfeited either by the state government or the Centre,'' the letter said.

Urging the Prime Minister to stop the proposed mining project, the LYWA said the Prime Minister should focus on the needs of its people living in the area rather than investing so much in destructive nuclear cycle.

The LYWA also accused the UCIL of suppressing the voice of the people by instilling fear in the minds of ignorant villagers and trying to mislead them through inducements.

''This strategy administered by the UCIL may spoil the character of peace loving people of the area,'' the LYWA said.

UNI