To: Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, UPA, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, Dr. YS Rajasekhar Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
Namaskar,
The people of Andhra Pradesh, dependent on the River Krishna, request you to stop attempts by the Uranium Corporation of India Limited, (UCIL) to start its Uranium Mining Projects at Peddagattu-Lambapur villages within close vicinity (less than 2 kms) of the Nagarjunasagar Reservoir.
As you are aware, these waters are a lifeline for over 200million people.
The Uranium mining project is bound to contaminate the surface and ground waters in and around Nagarjuna Sagar Reservoir, with radioactive materials, due to contaminated storm water runoff and seepage.
As Nagarjuna Sagar Reservoir waters are used for irrigation in five districts, besides being a major source of drinking water for the Hi-Tech city of Hyderabad. The Radio Active and Toxic materials are likely to get into food-chain, having long term adverse impacts on human life-cycle and environment.
We have already seen the effects of radioactive pollution from UCIL’s mines on the people living in Jadugoda, Jharkhand - cancers, children with mutated limbs, genetic mutations in plants, fish, animals and humans, still births and multiple abortions among women to name a few.
If the UCIL project near Nagarjunasagar is allowed these could be the affects to be faced by millions of people who drink the waters of Krishna River. Not just in the present but for many generations to come.
World over people have said NO to Uranium Mining.
Even in Andhra Pradesh, people have unanimously said NO to the Project.
Against people’s verdict, UCIL is trying to use coercive methods to force the innocent tribal people of Peddagattu and Lambapur, to accept the project. These twice displaced people are living in fear constantly. That a Government Corporation is resorting to such tactics is of extreme concern for a democratic nation like INDIA.
As Leader of the Opposition, Dr.Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy stood by people’s decision in 2003. In his own words - allowing UCIL to mine uranium near Nagarjunasagar is a criminal act - (Refer his article in Times of India, August,21, 2003)
While in Opposition, the Congress Party has supported the people of the state in stopping the UCIL from starting its project.
Now, since you are the people in power, we request you to take action and protect the people of the state from Radioactive Contamination. STOP UCIL’s efforts to start its Mining Project near Nagarjunasagar Reservoir.
Our Vote is for those who will stop the UCIL’s Projects in Andhra Pradesh.
Hoping that you value people’s opinion in this matter.
And that you care for the people who voted you to power,
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
To sign the petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/ANTINUKE/petition.html