A delegation of opposition leaders in Andhra Pradesh visited locals in Kadapa district on Sunday who were affected by uranium mining in the region, and urged the state government to stop proposed mining in the Nallamalla forest region.
CPI State secretary K Ramakrishna, former minister Bhuma Akhila Priya, TDP politburo member Kalava Srinivasulu, CPI (ML) leader B Harinath and Forward Bloc (L) leader M Mastan were among those who visited KK Kottala village and interacted with locals. They also visited the tailing pond of the uranium mine in Tummalapalle.
Representatives of the Jana Sena Party and the Aam Aadmi Party were also present.
The Tummalapalle uranium mine is operated by the Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL), a centrally-owned public sector undertaking. A tailing pond refers to a wet storage area where the by-products discharged from the mine are transported by a pipeline for containment, but locals in the area have alleged that the slush was seeping into their farmland and water bodies and destroying their crops.
With borewell drilling taking place for collecting uranium samples by the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) for exploration and research in neighbouring Kurnool district, leaders have protested the move.
Speaking to reporters, K Ramakrishna said, “While the drilling for uranium samples has temporarily been stopped, we are told that the AMD is trying to restart it. We are planning to meet [CM] Jagan Mohan Reddy soon to give a representation to him. If needed, we will also approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention."
The leaders also pointed out that the mining in Tummalapalle had affected lives in Jagan's home constituency of Pulivendula, and demanded that the Chief Minister clear his stand on the proposed mining in Kurnool district.