HSPDP Urges Meghalaya Govt to Uphold Total Ban on Uranium Mining Amid Centre’s New Exemption

The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) has urged the Meghalaya government to firmly maintain the state’s long-standing opposition to uranium mining, following a recent Union government decision that has raised alarm among anti-mining groups.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, HSPDP president KP Pangniang reaffirmed the party’s unwavering stance against any form of uranium exploration or extraction in the state — a position rooted in the legacy of late founder Hoping Stone Lyngdoh. “Opposing uranium mining has always been a fundamental promise of our party. We reiterated in our manifesto that we will resist it at all costs, and today we stand by that commitment,” he said.

The appeal comes in the wake of an Office Memorandum issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change exempting uranium mining projects from mandatory public hearings — a move that critics fear could reopen the door to mining activities in Meghalaya.

In 2016, the then Congress government led by Mukul Sangma had revoked permission granted to the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) for pre-developmental drilling and reclaimed 422 hectares of land in Mawthabah, South West Khasi Hills, that had been allotted in 2009.

Meghalaya is believed to hold substantial uranium reserves — approximately 23,268 tonnes — with the largest deposits in Domiasiat (9,500 tonnes) and Wahkyn (9,764 tonnes) in South West Khasi Hills. Local communities and environmental groups have consistently opposed mining, citing severe risks to health, water sources, and the ecosystem.

In a separate statement, the HSPDP called on Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to vigorously pursue the creation of a separate IAS and IPS cadre for Meghalaya, a demand pending since 2019. Currently, the state shares a joint Assam-Meghalaya cadre, limiting opportunities for local officers.

Pangniang emphasised that a dedicated cadre would significantly boost career prospects for Meghalaya’s youth aspiring to join the country’s top civil services. He noted that the Centre has similarly remained silent on other key demands, including implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and inclusion of the Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

The HSPDP’s statements underscore growing regional concerns over central policies perceived as overriding state priorities on resource extraction and administrative autonomy.

Also Read: Australia to Enforce World-First Social Media Ban for Under-16s Starting Dec 10