Meghalaya opposition Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) chief and Nongkem legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit warned that any attempt by the Centre to proceed with uranium mining in the State despite popular opposition would face his strongest resistance, as the Assembly unanimously passed a resolution opposing uranium mining anywhere in Meghalaya.
Speaking in the Assembly, Basaiawmoit said, “If we know the minds of the government of India, and the government of India seems to be cornering the states that has Uranium Deposits, the government of India is also creating a narrative that this is the vision that we have for the country. The government of India for the interest of the country, they might even go ahead despite resistance of the people.”
He added, “if Uranium Mining is done, it will be done over my deadbody.”
Questioning whether a resolution alone would be sufficient to deter any future attempt to revive uranium mining, Basaiawmoit cited the Assembly’s 2019 resolution seeking implementation of the Inner Line Permit.
He said, “Sincerity on the part of the government or on the house is very very important when we discussed issue like this. Simply passing or adapting a resolution is not enough, a Government with brute majority like MDA can easily pass a resolution but we have to be concern about the effectiveness of that resolution.”
Basaiawmoit also said his visit to Jadugoda had strengthened his opposition to uranium mining, citing the condition of people living in the mining area.
Meanwhile, United Democratic Party leader Paul Lyngdoh also reiterated his opposition to uranium mining, recalling his opposition to the proposal for experimental mining in 2004 when he was a student leader of the Khasi Students’ Union.
Lyngdoh said, “I have consistently being vocal opposing Uranium Mining in Meghalaya.”
Recalling the visit to uranium mining sites, including Jadugoda, by a team comprising government officials and KSU leaders, he said, “Their findings was they visited a lot of people suffering various diseases including cancer.”
Lyngdoh also raised a constitutional and historical argument over land and mining rights, stating, “25 Khasi States has only signed the instrument of accession with India and never signed instrument of merger.”
He further asserted that the distinction had implications for land and water rights, arguing that Meghalaya had a strong basis to oppose uranium mining.
He said, “So historically we have a very strong case where mining should remain solely the right of the people of Meghalaya.”
The resolution, moved by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who also holds the Mining and Geology portfolio, calls upon the Government of India, the Department of Atomic Energy and Uranium Corporation of India Limited not to permit, pursue or undertake uranium mining operations in Meghalaya.
