SHILLONG, JUL 8: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday sought to put to rest concerns over uranium mining in the state, asserting that the government’s position remains unchanged and that no such activity will be allowed in Meghalaya.
Responding to allegations by the KSU that Atomic Minerals Directorate officials have been making frequent visits to uranium-rich areas in West Khasi Hills, including Domiasiat, Sangma said the government has consistently opposed uranium mining.
“In all my press conferences and even as close as 2025 I remember I made a statement on this very clear that we are not in favour of uranium mining. We are very clear about it and we have made it clear to the government of India also. We have made it very clear to the people also,” he told reporters.
The Chief Minister said the government follows a policy of consensus on issues that impact people directly.
“We are very clear that we will work and do things in line with what is in the best interest of our people. We don’t bulldoze. We are very clear that we must take people into confidence when we move forward,” Sangma said.
He pointed to the state’s stand on railways as an example of the same approach.
“Whether you talk of railways, we may be the only state that today does not have a railway connection to the capital city or to the major regions of the state. It is a big challenge but we don’t bulldoze,” he said.On uranium mining specifically, Sangma said the matter has been rejected multiple times.
“Uranium mining has been something which we all have been concerned about and I have made my point very clear that we are not at all in favour of uranium mining and this is an issue that has come multiple times to us and we have rejected it multiple times,” he stated.
“I think this is an issue that need not be explained in a manner in which to make the people confused that the government is in favour of it, we are not and I have been very clear.”
On the reported movement of AMD officials, the CM said he had no official information but would look into it.
“Regarding the movement of people coming in and going out, that is something…if any knowledge comes to my office, if you inform me then obviously we will take action. I don’t have any specific written tour or anything like that of anybody coming in…since you have told me right now that there is a report that there was some movement, I will find out and accordingly we will take steps in that also,” he said.
Asked whether the government would bring a resolution in the Assembly to reiterate its stand, Sangma said his public declaration was sufficient for now.
“I think the government as chief minister my statement is the most important, I have made my statement very clear that the government will not allow this and I think that is where we are right now and we will examine the need for resolution if it has to be but I think the fact that chief minister has made the stand of the government clear I think that word should count,” he said.
By Our Reporter
