Govt refuses to accept that uranium mining is the cause, blames the locals for coal mining with toxic substances.THE DEATH of a large number of fish in West Khasi Hills district since 5 April has caused more than a ripple in the state. The Mukul Sangma-led Meghalaya government says preliminary investigations suggest that the death of fish in Ranikor river is due to ‘use of toxic substances by locals’ in coal mining.
The delay in solving the mystery has pitched the powerful Khasi Students Union (KSU) against the government. “We have collected samples of dead fish as well as river water from different locations and we will send it to an independent body,” says Daniel Khyriem, ksu President. “There is a high chance the deaths are due to uranium radiation.” KSU alleges that a similar incident was reported in the 1990s during exploratory drilling of uranium in the West Khasi Hills.
Deputy Chief Minister Bindo Lanong denies the charge. “If uranium radiation had caused the deaths, all other aquatic animals should have been affected and there should have been lesions on the fish,” he says. “This was not the case.” Read More
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