Assembly panel to submit report into alleged leakage of uranium tanks

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 3, 2020

The Assembly’s Committee on Environment has decided to submit a report to the state government for necessary action into the alleged leakage of uranium tanks in South West Khasi Hills district.

The decision was made after taking the views and suggestions of the stakeholders including elected representatives, traditional heads and NGOs at a meeting held at Wahkaji on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, chairman of the committee and Mawphlang legislator, SK Sunn said the committee has recorded the views and opinions of all stakeholders on the issue.

“We will sit again as a committee to take a call on this issue before submitting a report to the state government for necessary action,” Sunn said.

Asked, the chairman said, “Some of the views are for and some are against. Also some have alleged that the health of the people is being affected and there are those who denied such incidents.”

“However, the Director of Health Services was also present and heard the statements made by the people. He will accordingly take up the concerns expressed so that the health department can take necessary action,” he said.

Earlier during the meeting, the chairman has made it clear that the meeting was not to discuss mining of uranium but on the effect on the health being of the people due to the alleged high radiation level in the area.

He informed that the committee had also sent a team to the site where the uranium tanks are located for capturing on camera the situation.

Ranikor MLA Pius Marwein informed the gathering that he had taken up the matter with the chief minister, Conrad K Sangma requesting the need to institute an independent inquiry to find out the truth on whether people are being affected by the alleged leakage of the uranium tanks.

Opposing the government’s decision to engage varsities for investigating into the matter, KSU South West Khasi Hills president Forwardman Nongrem said, “We request the Assembly committee to convey a strong message to the government that the people want an independent inquiry and will not accept if you send agencies who are related to AMD or those who are funded by the central government.”

Nongrem also said the KSU reiterated its demand that the state government should close the chapter of uranium mining in the state once and for all.