BJP leader maintains illegal mining of Uranium in Meghalaya

Senior BJP leader Bernard N Marak has been maintaining his allegations regarding widespread illegal mining of Uranium and transport of the same outside Meghalaya.
“The Chief Minister was expected to refute allegations of widespread illegal mining and transportation of minerals in the State but it remains an open secret. However, the unauthorized mining of uranium ore poses a more severe threat, to the State, the people and it compromises national security,” Marak said.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma denied illegal uranium mining activities in the Garo Hills region and asked the BJP leader to ascertain his claims about the illegal mining of uranium with details and proof. “While the Chief Minister may be uninformed about the current situation, we are confident that the Central government will intervene, given the implausible nature of disregarding the underlying political motivations driving these illicit activities which I believe should be checked and stopped not to aggravate the situation,” Marak said.
Claiming that illicit uranium extraction did occur in the State a couple of years ago, Marak said, “Initially, the State denied it until we notified the Ministry of Home Affairs’ top officials, leading to intervention and cessation of the illicit mining activities in Khasi Hills region. The previous administration was aware and involved but denied any wrongdoing through the media and to the Central government.”
Asking the Chief Minister to engage in an open debate on the issue, the BJP leader said, “If the Chief Minister is genuinely committed to addressing the problem of illegal mining, he can convene a meeting or invite me for an open debate or discussion in the media.” “I am committed to transparency, good governance and safety of the people, with no hidden agenda, therefore I would be more than happy to brief him of all these illegal activities which gravely endangers security of the State and the people,” Marak said.
The Rongcheng Plateau along the environs of Balpakram National Park (BNP) in Meghalaya South Garo Hills is one of the “most potential” sites for “high grade, large tonnage uranium deposits”, which requires confirmation by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
In 2009, the DAE had sought permission for an exploratory drilling in the ecologically fragile Rongcheng plateau of the Park for which the DAE has requested for de-notification of 8 Sq.km of forest under the national Park.
Following public protest, the Meghalaya government did not accord the DAE’s proposal. The 400-sq km BNP is a known habitat for the Asian elephant, tiger and other endangered animals such as Hoolock Gibbon and Slow Loris, apart from being home to rare and endemic plants.
The park is also called land of the eternal death in Garo mythology, as it is believed that the spirits of the dead reside here.
It is also believed by Hindus that Hanuman, while looking for the herb ‘sanjeevani’ with which to cure Laxman, who was injured in the battle against Ravana, found it in Balpakram.