Shillong, March 12: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday said that there is no leakage of toxic waste from the Uranium storage tanks at Nongbah Jynrin in South West Khasi Hills (SWKH).
Replying to Short Duration Discussion under Rule 50 tabled by Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh on ‘NEHU report on uranium leakage under scrutiny,’ the Chief Minister said, “The Government is concerned about this important issue. Immediately after news item circulated in social media on 21st September 2020, saying that an explosion had occurred at repository site at Nongbah Jynrin, Wahkaji, the Superintendent of Police South West Khasi Hills sent a police team to the site immediately to ascertain if any explosion actually occurred and it was reported there was no such explosion.”
“ The next day on 22nd September, 2020, the District Administration deputed a Magistrate and a police team led by Deputy Superintendent for inspection. As per the report submitted by team there was no explosion. As per the report whole village is completely unaware about any explosion or leakage from two uranium repository tanks. It has been found that there are two small holes in one of the tank which appeared to be intentionally dug, but there is no leakage, “ the CM added.
He said it was also decided to undertake separate study on the rocks and sediments of the ‘Phud Syngkai’ stream at a credible laboratory to determine the exact cause of the radiation.
The chief minister informed that the Mining and Geology department was accordingly entrusted to take up the study of rocks and sediments, even as he said, the department would soon submit its report related to the study on the rocks and sediments of the ‘Phud Syngkai’ stream near uranium mining sites in South West Khasi Hills district.
A joint team of officials consisting of Geologists and representatives of NEHU visited the site on February 22 and samples from rocks and sediments were collected.
“The chemical analysis of rock and sediments samples is being undertaken at the laboratory in the Directorate of Mineral Resources to determine the contents of these rocks and sediments. The report on this study will be submitted shortly,” he said.
Towards the end of 2020, the State Government had requested the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati to conduct a joint study concerning the issue.
“A six-member committee under the chairmanship of Prof. B Myrboh, Department of Chemistry, NEHU, held an interactive session on the report on December 17. It was revealed that the radiation level at the source (Uranium storage tanks and pits) is well within safety levels,” Sangma said.
“However, the committee found that radiation levels were higher 100 feet away from the source. Regular police patrolling is being done in that area. Health and safety of the people of the state are of utmost importance,” he added.
