SHILLONG, AUG 26: The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution opposing any form of uranium mining and processing in the state and decided to urge the Centre to close all related activities, including the KPM project.
The government resolution was moved by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and supported by all 60 MLAs.
Moving the resolution, Sangma noted that tribal areas in Meghalaya are administered under the Sixth Schedule, where land is held under community, clan and individual customary tenure, and its allotment and use fall under the Autonomous District Councils.
He also cited the Supreme Court judgement of July 3, 2019 in the All Dimasa Students Union case, which held that landowners in Meghalaya own both surface and sub-soil rights, including minerals.
The Chief Minister said uranium deposits have been identified at Domiasiat, Wahkyn and Lostoin in West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills, where UCIL’s Kylleng-Pyndengsohiong-Mawthabah project proposes open-cast mining and an ore processing plant.
He said the area receives very high rainfall, has steep terrain, is landslide-prone and forms the catchment of rivers and streams critical for drinking water, agriculture and livelihoods, and containment of tailings and effluents has not been assured to the satisfaction of affected communities.
The resolution further noted consistent opposition from traditional institutions, district councils, students and civil society, absence of free, prior and informed consent, and the fact that no uranium mining lease has ever been granted.
It also referred to the Environment Ministry’s Office Memorandum of September 8, 2025 exempting atomic mineral mining from public consultation, while recalling the Union MoS for Atomic Energy’s recent statement in Shillong that no decision has been taken on uranium mining in the state.
The House resolved to record the people’s opposition to uranium mining and processing and to urge the Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy and UCIL not to permit or pursue any uranium mining in Meghalaya.
“This House records the opposition of the people of the State of Meghalaya to the mining of uranium and to the establishment of any uranium ore processing facility within the State.
This House resolves to urge the Government of India, the Department of Atomic Energy and the Uranium Corporation of India Limited not to permit, pursue or undertake any uranium mining operation in the State of Meghalaya including under the Kylleng Pyndengsohiong Mawthabah Uranium Mining Project, and to close any activity relating to Uranium mining anywhere in the State,” Sangma said.
Speaking on the resolution, Sangma said, “Meghalaya has large deposits of uranium and past activities by the Government of India have been opposed by the public at large. We have seen the impacts of uranium mining in different parts of the country, where the health of people around mining areas has been affected.”
“There was no clarity on the stand of the government, the House and the people. We felt a resolution must be brought to send a message in one voice that Meghalaya, its people, its government and its elected members oppose any uranium mining or processing,” he said.
“This is a simple yet very important resolution, not just for today but for generations to come. We may have political differences, but when it comes to protection of our people, we are one. We must pass this unanimously and send a strong message that Meghalaya is united against uranium mining in any form,” he added.
Almost all legislators spoke in support.
The Speaker later declared the resolution adopted unanimously.
