Meghalaya: Govt provide 'Y' security to Shylla

Shillong, May 29 (UNI) The Meghalaya government has provided 'Y' category security cover to Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Chief Executive Member Hispreaching Son Shylla.

The fool-proof security cover was provided to Mr Shylla ahead of the public hearing on Uranium mining on June 12 at Nongbah Jynrin village, sources said here today.

Anti-mining groups in the state have decided not to allow the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board's(MSPCB) hearing as it is one step ahead towards starting mining operations in the state.

''The government has assessed the threat perception on Mr Shylla and decided to bring him under security cover in view of the impending public hearing on Uranium mining,'' state Director General of Police B K Dey told UNI.

The government has placed two Personal Security Officers, an escort vehicle and several guards to protect the KHADC Chief Executive Member.

In fact, the powerful Khasi Students' Union along with other mining groups has threatened to launch a massive agitation if the government goes ahead with the public hearing.

The Hill State People's Democratic Party, an ally of the ruling Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government too has termed the public hearing as ''conspiracy against the interest of the indigenous Khasi people''.

''I will not allow the Pollution Control Board to hold the rally as they will decide against the wishes of the people. Instead, I have called for a public meeting on June 4 at Nongstoin to highlight the ill-effects of Uranium mining,'' HSPDP leader H S Lyngdoh said.

Mr Lyngdoh, leader of the oldest regional political party asserted that ''If the real purpose of the public hearing is to hear to views of the people of the district then it should have been organised in the district headquarters and not in a remote village.'' The indigenous people of the Hima Langrin and Hima Maram have decided to hold a separate public meeting on June 5 at Umdohlun village to oppose the public hearing.

Terming the anti-mining lobbies ''anti-nationals'', Mr Shylla said the uranium project should be given a seal of approval as it is in the interest of the people and the State as whole.

''The uranium from Meghalaya would be used for generating electricity and for nuclear energy needs of the country,'' the KHADC Chief said as he rubbished reports of health hazards due to mining of the highly radioactive metal.

The MSPCB has decided to hold a public hearing at Nongbah Jynrin village following the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) proposal to develop an open cast mining at Kylleng-Pyndengsohiong Uranium ore and processing project at the Mawthabah in state's West Khasi Hills district.

''The environmental clearance is mandatory and is required to be conducted by the Pollution Board to get the public views, suggestions or objections on the proposed project,'' MSPB Member Secretary D Hooroo said.

The Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) found uranium oxide reserves, estimating 9,500 tonnes in about 9.22 million tonnes of ore in the state.

During an initial survey, the UCIL found that the area around Kylleng-Pyndeng-Sohiong had about 10,000 tonnes of uranium. The sandstone type uranium deposits in Meghalaya were the largest, richest, near-surface and low-cost, discovered in India so far, UCIL officials claimed.

UNI