Shillong: The Khasi Students’ Union on Tuesday demanded the Meghalaya government force the Centre to pull the Atomic Minerals Directorate office out of Nongmensong, Shillong. The union also wants the state Assembly to pass a resolution officially killing all uranium mining plans. Tensions flared after Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh claimed the mining project remains under consideration.
KSU general secretary Reuben A. Najiar dismissed government promises as empty talk. He argued the presence of the AMD office proves the Centre is still hungry for local uranium. "As long as the AMD office remains at Nongmensong, it indicates that the issue of uranium mining is not going to die," Najiar said. He challenged Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar to back his public refusals with real action.
The union expects the state to demand the immediate withdrawal of the directorate. They also want the Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, and Garo Hills Autonomous District Councils to join the fight by adopting similar anti-mining resolutions. Uranium deposits exist across all three regions.
Suspicion is mounting over strange land deals in areas like Domiasiat. Najiar alleged that former lawmakers and other powerful figures are buying up property in these zones. He warned that this behavior mirrors the land acquisitions that previously paved the way for cement plants in the East Jaintia Hills. The union remains convinced that these activities signal renewed efforts to start mining operations.
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