KSU bandh; hearing on Uranium passes off peacefully

Shillong, June 12 (UNI) The 36-hour bandh of the Khasi Student's Union in two districts of Meghalaya protesting the public hearing on uranium mining in West Khasi Hills district passed off peacefully today.

The bandh which began yesterday at 0500 hours, affected the functioning of government establishments, educational and financial institutions in East and West Khasi Hills district.

Mizoram, Tripura, Barak Valley of Asom and parts of Manipur, were cut off as National Highways 40 and 44 were out of bounds.

Attendance in government offices was marginally better today than yesterday, Chief Secretary Ranjan Chatterjee told UNI here.

In fact, Chief Minister D D Lapang yesterday sought an explanation from the chief secretary for the absence of government employees, he added.

''The government will decide on taking punitive action against those who failed to turn up at work,'' he said.

Earlier, the government had warned pay cut and other actions would be taken against those who failed to report for duty.

However, the students union appreciated the 'people's support' to their agitation to oppose Uranium mining in the state, which according to them, could pose health and environmental hazards.

Meanwhile, the public hearing on Uranium mining at Nongbah Jynrin area, about 150 Km from here passed off peacefully amidst tight security.

The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSCPB) had ordered the hearing after the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) submitted its proposal to develop an open cast mining at Kylleng-Pyndengsohiong Uranium Ore and Processing Plant at Mawthabah in West Khasi Hills district.

The Pollution Board officials recorded the views and suggestions of the public before senior state government, Atomic Minerals Division and UCIL officials.

The MSCPB will then submit its report to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board for environmental clearance to grant permission to start the project.

The UCIL had assured to set up the project with modern technology and appropriate radiation protection measures. The in-plant and environmental monitoring at the project sites will be carried out by the Health Physics Unit of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, a UCIL official said.

UNI