SHILLONG: The General Secretary of the Khasi Students’ Union Central Executive Committee (KSU CEC), Rueben Anderson Najiar, has expressed strong dissatisfaction and issued a stern warning regarding ongoing efforts to initiate uranium mining in Meghalaya.
This statement follows a recent declaration by a Union Minister indicating that plans for uranium mining in the state remain active, despite the Meghalaya government’s public opposition.
Speaking to the media, Rueben Najiar stated that the union’s findings on the ground directly contradict the state government’s claims.
Over the past few days, KSU has uncovered that affluent individuals and persons with close ties to state ministers have been visiting South West Khasi Hills, allegedly attempting to persuade and offer large sums of money to local landowners for permission to mine uranium.
In light of these developments, the union has strongly questioned the commitment and sincerity of the state government’s opposition.
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Najiar commented that while the Chief Minister has appealed for public trust, leadership can change overnight, and there is no guarantee that future administrations will uphold current promises. The union asserts that if the government is genuinely serious about its opposition, it must provide concrete proof through immediate action—something the KSU says is currently lacking.
The KSU has called on the state government to pass an official resolution in the State Assembly explicitly declaring that uranium mining will never be permitted in Meghalaya.
According to the union, failure to formalize this opposition has emboldened Union Ministers to suggest that the Government of India can revisit the project. The KSU emphasized the need for definitive action rather than vague statements about “the will of the people.”
Najiar further stressed that responsibility also lies with the autonomous District Councils. He urged all three District Councils in Meghalaya to enact strong legislation banning uranium mining, noting that under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, land and minerals belong to the people.
The KSU has already met with the Chief Executive Member (CEM) to demand the drafting of stringent laws to prevent the sale of land to mining companies.
In a final message to the Government of India, the KSU warned that any further attempts to revive uranium mining in the state will be met with intense alternative courses of action. The union declared unequivocally that the people of Meghalaya will not become sacrificial lambs in the name of national growth and benefit.
(4FrontMedia news)
