Shillong, Sept. 30 -- Meghalaya deputy CM Prestone Tynsong on Monday dismissed the rising speculation over uranium mining in the state, making it clear that the government will not permit extraction "now or ever" regardless of policy changes at Centre. The controversy erupted after the National People's Youth Front (NPYF), the youth wing of the ruling NPP, petitioned the state government to counter a September 8 Office Memorandum (OM) of the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change. The OM scrapped the requirement for public hearings before mining "atomic minerals" such as uranium-a move that triggered alarm among civil groups. Reacting to the spiralling debate, Tynsong said people should not panic. "Our stand is clear-Meghalaya will never allow uranium mining. The matter is already closed because landowners and district councils are not willing to part with their land, and the state government stands with them," he said. Tynsong said the state cabinet may consider formally writing to the Centre on the OM, but reiterated the state's position is "categorically no" to uranium mining....