Public hearing on uranium mining amid protest,tight security

Shillong, Jun 12 (UNI) The public hearing on the open cast Uranium ore mine at Mawthabah passed off peacefully today amidst protests by anti-uranium lobbies in Meghalaya's West Khasi Hills district.

The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) had called for a public hearing at Nongbah Jynrin village, about 150 km from here to assess public opinion regarding the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL's) proposed plan for an open cast mine at Kylleng-Pyndengsohiong Uranium Ore and Processing Plant at Mawthabah.

MSPCB officials recorded the views and suggestions made by tribal-land owners before senior state government, Atomic Mineral Division and UCIL officials.

The Meghalaya People's Human Rights Council, which opposed Uranium mining in the area, had sent a written 13-point objection to the MSPCB.

''We have recorded all their views and suggestions on the proposed project. Now we will submit our report to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board for environmental clearance,'' a senior MSCPB official told UNI over the phone.

Security had been tightened in East and West Khasi Hills district in view of the 36-hour Khasi Student's Union (KSU) bandh from 0500 hours yesterday, opposing the public hearing.

Normal life came to standstill with almost all state and central government establishments, educational and financial institutions remaining closed.

''There has been no report of any untoward incident and the hearing was conducted in a befitting manner,'' Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eastern Range, A S Rynjah said.

Samuel Jyrwa, leader of the influential student's body had said the hearing was meant to facilitate the project, which according to him, can pose a threat to the local people.

''The people have a right to attend the public hearing but I continue to oppose uranium mining and shall never allow the UCIL to mine uranium in our areas. If they want to mine they can mine over my dead body,'' H S Lyngdoh, leader of Hill State People's Democratic Party said.

Eighty-year-old Spillity Langrin Lyngdoh, who a owns major portion of the land where the nuclear ore is to be mined, had vowed not to allow the UCIL to get inside her land, after witnessing the ill-effects of the uranium mining pilot project of the Atomic Mineral Division in her land at Domiasiat.

''I will continue to fight against it as long as I can,'' she said, fearing of health hazards and influx of outsiders.

But Heas Dienglan, Chairman of ''Synjuk Ki Hynriew Shnong'' (Federation of Six Villages) who represents the views of the pro-mining people in the area said, ''I don't agree with those saying Uranium mining causes health hazards as I did not witness any ill effects of uranium mining in Jaduguda.'' MORE UNI RRK PL AB KN1705