Meghalaya to appoint ‘expert agency’ in decoding mystery of alleged uranium leakages

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SHILLONG:

The Meghalaya Government has decided to appoint an expert agency to go into the details of the alleged reports of leakages of uranium effluents from the storage tank at Nongbah Jynrin in South West Khasi Hills (SWKH).

“We have taken this decision given the reports that have emerged of leakages of high-level radiation at Nongbah Jynrin. The expert agency will then submit a report to the Government,” Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong told reporters here on Friday.

He further informed that they had assigned the Chief Secretary to appoint an expert agency and notify the same by next week.

Earlier, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had assured that the state government would look into the matter.

On September 21, reports emerged on social media that a uranium effluent tank in South West Khasi Hills had cracked, emitting foul smell from the tank.

Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills, Cara Kharkongor had earlier informed that no such leakages were taking place and the news of the leakages was incorrect.

On October 9, environmental economist Bremley WB Lyngdoh along with members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) had visited the site and concluded that the radiation level at the area was very high, posing a threat to human lives.