The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has adopted a unanimous resolution opposing any form of uranium mining and processing in the state, with all 60 MLAs supporting the move. The resolution also calls on the central government to close all related activities, including the Kylleng-Pyndengsohiong-Mawthabah (KPM) project.
Legal and Environmental Grounds
Moving the resolution, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma pointed to the legal and environmental grounds underpinning the state’s position. Tribal areas in Meghalaya fall under the Sixth Schedule, where land is held under community, clan and individual customary tenure, with allotment and use governed by Autonomous District Councils. He cited the Supreme Court judgment of July 3, 2019 in the All Dimasa Students Union case, which held that landowners in Meghalaya own both surface and sub-soil rights, including minerals.
Uranium Deposits and the KPM Project
Uranium deposits have been identified at Domiasiat, Wahkyn and Lostoin in West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills, where the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) had proposed an open-cast mine and ore processing plant under the KPM project. Sangma flagged the area’s very high rainfall, steep terrain, landslide vulnerability and its role as a catchment for rivers and streams used for drinking water, agriculture and livelihoods. He said containment of tailings and effluents has not been assured to the satisfaction of affected communities.
Public Opposition and Consent Concerns
The resolution also noted consistent opposition from traditional institutions, district councils, students and civil society, the absence of free, prior and informed consent, and the fact that no uranium mining lease has ever been granted in the state. It referred to the Environment Ministry’s Office Memorandum of September 8, 2025, which exempts atomic mineral mining from public consultation, while recalling the Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy’s recent statement in Shillong that no decision has been taken on uranium mining in Meghalaya.
The House Resolution
The House resolved to record the people’s opposition and to urge the Government of India, the Department of Atomic Energy and UCIL not to permit or pursue any uranium mining in the state.
Chief Minister’s Remarks
Speaking on the resolution, Sangma said, “Meghalaya has large deposits of uranium and past activities by the Government of India have been opposed by the public at large. 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.”
“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,” he said.
“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. We must pass this unanimously and send a strong message that Meghalaya is united against uranium mining in any form,” the Chief Minister added.
Almost all legislators spoke in support before the Speaker declared the resolution adopted unanimously.