Booker Prize winner opposes Uranium mining in Meghalaya

Shillong, May 27 (UNI) Opposing the proposed mining of Uranium in Meghalaya, Booker prize winner Arundhati Roy has said the Radioactive metal was only needed for producing nuclear energy and object of interest of the multi-national companies.

''I am not only against uranium mining, but also against accumulation of nuclear weapons,'' the author of the prize-winning hit novel, ''The God of Small Things'' told UNI here last evening.

Several tribal social and political organisations have opposed the uranium mining in Meghalaya's West Khasi Hills district fearing that unearthing of silver-white metal can unleash terrible contamination on people and the environment.

The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) has proposed to develop an open cast mining at Kylleng-Pyndengsohiong Uranium ore and processing project at the Mawthabah. The uranium ore deposits there have an average grade of 0.085 per cent.

''I have opposed the nuclear arms race in the past and will continue to do the same'', Ms Roy said, adding that Jadugoda in Jharkhand has justified the ill-effects of uranium mining.

Asked whether she will extend her support to indigenous people's organisations opposing uranium mining in Meghalaya, the Shillong born novelist and activist said, ''I am not a Messiah. The NGOs in the state are the best people and the people here know more than me on the ill-effects of uranium mining.'' On construction of several dams in Arunachal Pradesh, Ms Roy said mining of minerals or construction of dams affects the villagers and ''we need to look into the future of the people''.

''People living in Narmada submerge zone have experienced hardships. And look at Orissa with the extraction of bauxite, the multi-nationals come into picture, With this the life of community is devastated and the Orissa government will be getting only a small royalty,'' she said.

UNI