The Meghalaya assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution against exploration and mining of uranium in the northeastern state.
The assembly adopted the resolution moved by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and supported by all 60 MLAs.
The resolution urged the Centre, the Department of Atomic Energy and Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) not to permit, pursue or undertake any mining operation of the radioactive element in Meghalaya, including under the Kylleng-Pyndengsohiong-Mawthabah (KPM) Uranium Mining Project in West Khasi Hills.
"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," Sangma said.
Moving the resolution, Sangma said Meghalaya has large deposits of uranium and that “past activities by the Centre related to its exploration and mining had been opposed by people” across the state.
"There was no clarity on the stand of the government, the House and the people. We felt a resolution must be brought in to send a message that Meghalaya, its people, government and elected members oppose any uranium mining or processing," the chief minister said.
He also cited a 2019 Supreme Court judgment, which held that landowners in Meghalaya have rights over both surface and sub-soil, including minerals.
Sangma said uranium-bearing minerals have been identified at Domiasiat, Wahkyn and Lostoin in West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills, where the KPM project proposes open-cast mining and an ore processing plant.
He said the proposed project area receives high rainfall, has steep terrain, is susceptible to landslides and forms the catchment of streams and rivers on which drinking water, agriculture and livelihoods depend.
“The containment of overburden, mill tailings and process effluents under such conditions over the project's lifetime has also not been demonstrated to the satisfaction of affected communities,” he said.
The resolution noted that traditional institutions, district councils, student and civil society organisations and elected representatives have “consistently opposed” uranium mining in Meghalaya, while “free, prior and informed” consent of affected communities has not been obtained.
It also referred to an Office Memorandum issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on September 8, 2025, exempting mining projects involving atomic minerals from public consultation under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006.
"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," Sangma asserted.
The resolution was supported by all 60 MLAs, including Leader of the Opposition Mukul Sangma of the TMC, and members of the Voice of the People Party (VPP).