Shillong, August 26 : The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Wednesday unanimously adopted a government resolution opposing uranium mining and processing in any form in the State and resolved to urge the Centre to close all related activities, including the Kylleng-Pyndengsohiong-Mawthabah (KPM) project.
The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and received unanimous support from the House.
Moving the resolution, Sangma said tribal areas in Meghalaya are administered under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, where land is held under community, clan and individual customary tenure, with its allotment and use falling under the jurisdiction of the Autonomous District Councils.
He also referred to the Supreme Court’s July 3, 2019 judgment in the All Dimasa Students Union case, which held that landowners in Meghalaya have rights over both the surface and sub-soil, 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 districts, where the Uranium Corporation of India Limited’s KPM project proposes open-cast mining and an ore-processing plant.
He said the proposed mining area receives very high rainfall, has steep terrain and is prone to landslides. The area also forms the catchment of rivers and streams that are crucial for drinking water, agriculture and local livelihoods.
The resolution noted that concerns over the containment of mining tailings and effluents have not been addressed to the satisfaction of affected communities.
It also referred to consistent opposition to uranium mining from traditional institutions, Autonomous District Councils, students’ organisations and civil society groups, besides the absence of free, prior and informed consent from affected communities.
The House further noted that no uranium mining lease has ever been granted in Meghalaya.
The resolution also referred to the Union Environment Ministry’s Office Memorandum dated September 8, 2025, exempting atomic mineral mining from public consultation, while recalling the recent statement of the Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy in Shillong that no decision had been taken on uranium mining in Meghalaya.
The Assembly resolved to formally record the opposition of the people of Meghalaya to uranium mining and the establishment of uranium ore-processing facilities in 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 while moving the resolution.
Speaking during the discussion, the Chief Minister said Meghalaya has large uranium deposits but past attempts by the Government of India to pursue mining had faced strong public opposition.
He said concerns had also been raised over the health impacts associated with uranium mining in other parts of the country.
“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,” Sangma said.
Describing the resolution as important for future generations, the Chief Minister appealed to legislators to set aside political differences on the issue.
“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 said.
Legislators across the House spoke in support of the resolution before the Speaker declared it unanimously adopted.
