SHILLONG, July 16 — Facing renewed public anger after remarks by Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday said the NPP-led MDA government will move a formal resolution in the Meghalaya Assembly to oppose uranium mining, stressing the state will not surrender its land, water or future to a radioactive threat. Sangma added the Centre has taken “no decision” on uranium mining in Meghalaya and that Dr. Singh’s comments were “misinterpreted.”
Sangma said NPP leaders unanimously urged the government at a Wednesday meeting to table the resolution. He said the motion will formally record the state’s commitment to protect its environment, forests and communities from the potential harms of uranium extraction, and warned of long-term environmental, ecological and health implications. “There are too many risks involved, and we are very firm that we will oppose uranium mining in our state,” he said.
The announcement follows strong opposition from the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), which demanded the relocation of the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) office from Nongmensong, Shillong, arguing its continued presence shows the Centre has not abandoned mining plans. KSU general secretary Reuben A. Najiar alleged that influential figures, including former MLAs, are acquiring land in the uranium-rich Domiasiat area of South West Khasi Hills through intermediaries-either at throwaway or inflated prices-with the suspicion that these plots could later be transferred to agencies linked to uranium extraction such as UCIL.
The KSU said it is filing RTI applications to collect documentary evidence of these land deals and has promised to publish its findings soon. The union has urged the Meghalaya Assembly and the three Autonomous District Councils to pass explicit bans on uranium mining and to adopt legal safeguards to curb speculative purchases in resource-bearing areas.
The Voice of the People Party (VPP) also pressed the Centre to categorically rule out any revival of uranium mining. VPP spokesperson Dr. A.W. Rani said Dr. Singh’s remark that the Centre is “working on” the issue under the SHANTI Act, 2025, has reignited concerns and created uncertainty, and called for a clear public declaration if the Centre has no intention of pursuing mining.
State leaders and civil society groups framed the debate around environmental protection, public health, land rights and the customary rights of indigenous communities, urging vigilance against indirect attempts to facilitate mining and demanding transparency from both state and central authorities.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/07/17/cm-vows-to-block-uranium-mining-through-assembly-resolution/
Category: MEGHALAYA
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Publish Date: 2026-07-17 06:31:00
