Shillong, Aug 1: Exploratory drilling by the Atomic Minerals Directorate in uranium-rich deposits of South West Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya will stop following protest by anti-uranium group.

The AMD officials were called by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Wednesday to explain about the exploratory drilling of uranium deposits in South West Khasi Hills district which led to violent protest by anti-uranium groups in the district.

After a meeting with KHADC’s executive member in-charge mines and minerals, Latiplang Kharkongor on Wednesday, AMD Regional Director, Sandeep Hamilton and deputy regional director, Rahul Banerjee told reporters that from now onwards, the AMD would do any work in Meghalaya.

“We have stopped working in Meghalaya and took this conscious decision after seeing the situation and the sentiments of the people. We may look at some other states also, but as far as Meghalaya is concerned, we decided to close down the operations,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton also clarified that the AMD is not involved in uranium mining.

Banerjee also said that AMD is an exploration agency and engaged in research of atomic minerals not only uranium but other minerals as well.

“The AMD’s mandate is for search and research of atomic minerals. Mining is being done by a different agency and our work ends after the search and research of atomic minerals which include a number of elements not only uranium,” he said.

On July 25, AMD officials were attacked and drilling machines were set on fire by miscreants at Wahkaji village on July 25.

“We were doing small boreholes of 20-30 metres to extract some samples for doing research and development for studying laboratory purposes, analysis and microscopic study. People mistook us as those from the UCIL, which is a public sector undertaking for mining. We are purely scientists from the Central government,” Banerjee said.

The AMD officials said that AMD is a pan India organization and exploration activities are done throughout the country in different states and places.

“We have annual field season programmes and our department informs every state’s chief secretary about the work going to be taken up in those areas. That intimation goes to every state chief secretary. If we require any assistance or support, then we go to the district administration to seek their permission and help. We have been doing this type of exercise for so many years everywhere, but we did not know that this incident would happen in Meghalaya,” he said.

Hamilton said that according to the Atomic Energy Act 1962, to work anywhere in India, permission only from local landowner should be sought if required for collecting samples whether surface or sub surface.

Interestingly, a letter from the headman of Mawthabah village on April 4 this year which was submitted to the AMD Regional Office, has extended support for the exploratory drilling of uranium in the area, and assured of providing land for boreholes to be drilled for by the AMD.

“We are ready to provide logistic support and cooperation for the uranium exploration conducted by the AMD,” the letter from the headman stated.