SHILLONG, AUG 1: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has decided to summon a traditional headman for granting permission to the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) to carry out exploratory drilling of uranium in South West Khasi Hills District before taking action.
The decision was taken after the KHADC executive member (EM) in-charge Mines & Minerals Latiplang Kharnogor summoned the AMD officials at a meeting held at the Council’s conference hall here on Wednesday.
A seven-member delegation of the AMD was led by its regional director Sandeep Hamilton and deputy regional director Dr Rahul Banerjee.
Recently, three officials of the AMD were injured when they were attacked by miscreants near Wahkaji on July 25.
“We have decided to immediately summon the headman of Mawthabah village after it was found out that he had illegally granted permission to the AMD officials for carrying out the uranium drilling activities in the area,” Kharkongor told reporters after the meeting.
He said that AMD officials had informed that they had carried out the drilling activities based on the permission granted by the headman of the village.
In a letter to the AMD/DAE regional director on April 4, the headman had stated: “I, the headman of Mawthabah support the uranium exploration conducted in our land at Mawthabah by AMD. We agree to provide land for boreholes to be drilled for/by AMD. We are also ready to provide logistic support and cooperation for the uranium exploration conducted by AMD.”
The EM said that the headman of Mawthabah had granted such permission without the knowledge of the Hima and the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) which is illegal.
Stating that the Council will issue strict warning against such headmen, Kharkongor however said, “We may even consider the cancellation of the sanad (appointment) to such erring headmen.”
Asked, the KHADC executive member said that strict warning was also issued to the AMD not to carry out any exploratory drilling of uranium without getting the permission from the KHADC.
“We have made it clear to them that we will not allow such activities to take place in our jurisdiction and that they cannot bypass us because land is our subject. They (AMD officials) have assured the Council that all drilling activities have been put to a stop,” he said.
Kharkongor however said the delegation of the KHDA-led executive committee will still visit Mawthabah tomorrow to conduct the spot inquiry and would also seize drilling machines if found in the area.
On the claims of the AMD that it is only for research work, the EM however said that the AMD cannot denied that it is the department responsible for inviting tender for uranium drilling and mining activities.
By Our Reporter
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