Shillong, Oct. 20 : Local residents and various NGOs in Shillong have come out in support of the Centre''''s decision to start a uranium mining project in Meghalaya.

On Friday, various non-governmental organizations from different districts of the state gathered to register support for the 209 crore rupee project to be carried out by the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) in the 442 square hectares spread over West Khasi hills.

The supporters of the uranium project said that the project would free India from dependence on other countries for nuclear fuel.

“If we have our own uranium mines within the country, we will not have to depend on other countries. I am afraid that some countries are using forces within our country to oppose the uranium mining project. There concern is not of the health hazard, as this region is sparsely populated," said W S Lynghdoh, a supporter of the mining project.

People who have been drinking water from the streams located near the uranium mine, where it was first processed, are absolutely healthy, he added.

Meanwhile, the row over the proposed uranium mining, which started way back since 1987, has become complicated with the biggest student body of the state, the Khasi Student Union (KSU) spearheading the opposition saying that such a step will pose threat for the people in the region.

The Khasi Student''''s Union has been staging rallies and protests against the project.

To prevent any untoward incident, security personnel have been deployed in the West Khasi hills and the adjoining districts. (ANI)