Villagers at the hearing. (Telegraph picture)

Jadugoda, May 26: Silencing anti-radiation activists, a public hearing on environmental clearance to the proposed lease renewal and expansion plan of the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) at Jadugoda went off without any major disturbance today.

The hearing — held for renewing the lease of UCIL’s Jadugoda mines and providing the required clearance for usage of 6.3 hectare of forestland for its expansion programme — witnessed tensed moments as anti-radiation groups and pro-UCIL villagers tried to put forth their points.

Apprehending clashes, the administration had made tight security arrangements on the UCIL premises.

Tension erupted when a group of around 50 activists led by the Jharkhandi Organisation Against Radiation (Joar), an NGO, entered the tent. Carrying anti-radiation banners, the activists started shouting slogans against UCIL. Retaliating, the pro-company people also started raising slogans in favour of UCIL’s expansion plan.

Soon, the pro-company supporters, who clearly outnumbered the anti-radiation activists, surrounded the latter and forced them leave the site. Security personnel also asked the Joar activists not to enter the tent with their banners.

The 2,000-odd pro-UCIL villagers reacted angrily to any speaker who spoke against the lease renewal. Gadadhar Bhagat, a resident of Ichra Bustee, claimed that the company had not done any thing for development of his village.