Inquiry into illegal supply of uranium sought

SHILLONG, MAY 20: People’s Democratic Front (PDF) leader and cabinet minister Hamletson Dohling on Monday sought for a probe into the alleged illegal extraction and supply of uranium by the UCIL and AMD in the “black market”.

“As you are well aware that this trend is really dangerous to the nuclear proliferation, health of the people and the environment as a whole, I request you to kindly conduct an enquiry at the earliest to find out the truth of the matter,” Dohling, who is also the urban affairs minister said in a letter to the home minister James K Sangma here.

Quoting reports, the minister said that the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) South West Khasi Hills Unit has alleged that illegal drilling is being carried out in the state and the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) and the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) are involved in illegal supply of uranium in the black market.

“I would like to express my deep concern to this incident if found to be true…,” he said.

The KSU-SWKH in a statement issued on Sunday has sought action against the UCIL and AMD following the seizure of uranium at Moreh in Manipur citing that this clearly indicated that they are indulging in illegal extraction and transportation of uranium from the state.

By Our Reporter