SHILLONG, MAY 12: Twenty five villages and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) – South Khasi hills district unit- have demanded that the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) not to issue No Objection Certificate (NOC) for drilling of uranium in the area.
A memorandum to this effect was submitted to the KHADC chief PN Syiem by a delegation led by headmen of different villages including Laitduh and Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) – South Khasi Hills district unit on Thursday.
The demand also came after a tender was floated by the Atomic Energy for drilling activities in Laitduh village, on March 16 this year.
“We have urged the KHADC to refrain from entertaining any application seeking permission for purpose of drilling activities in the area,” KSU-SKHDU president M Budnud told reporters after the meeting.
He said that the CEM had assured the delegation that the district council will ensure that no NOC will be issued on this regard.
“The CEM however expressed that the council will have little say as the issue depends on the village authority whether they issue NOC or not,” Budnud said.
According to him, though the tender did not mention what the drilling is for in the published by the Atomic Energy, but it is understood that the purpose is for uranium since the area has rich deposit of this mineral.
On the other hand, the Sordar of Laitduh village, W Lyngdoh, said that the main reason for the opposition against the move was because of the impact of the 2002-2003 uranium drilling.
“The Atomic Energy had then drilled as many as 70-80 holes which were of 16 inches wide and 200 meters deep, in and around the village,” Lyngdoh said.
Although the holes had been covered, but with time the cemented cover worn off leading to leakage of uranium radiation, which allegedly affected the health of the residents of the village, he said.
The sordar claimed that before the drilling there were no cases of people suffering from cancer but added, “However, many people have suffered and died of cancer from the village in past few years after 2003.”
He added, “If a research is conducted, I am sure that incidence of cancer will be high from our village.”
Besides, the sordar also alleged that the drilling activities had also severely affected the water bodies.
“Not only such activities polluted the water sources, but the streams which were available in abundance in all seasons have now dried up. Most of us now have to buy water for domestic purposes,” he claimed.
He said that the Laitduh and neighbouring villages appealed to the KHADC that it should not, at any cost grant, permission for drilling in the area taking the health of people and environment into account.
Earlier, a meeting of the 25 villages was also held recently and had unanimously decided oppose against such move.
Meanwhile, the KSU has threatened to agitate if there any attempt to forcefully conduct drilling activities in the area is made. The union and the people will never allow drilling or mining of uranium no matter what, the KSU leader informed.- By Our Reporter
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