Tribals strike over uranium plans

Tribals strike over uranium plans

BBC News South Asia

12th June 2007

A strike called by a tribal youth group to oppose the mining of uranium in part of northern India has caused severe disruption in the area.

Rich uranium deposits have been discovered in the Meghalaya hills bordering Bangladesh.

Plans to mine the ore have generated fierce resistance among local political parties and youth groups.

They say the mining will ruin the health of villagers and destroy the local environment.

About 400 villagers ignored the strike to attend a local consultation organised by the Indian government.