SHILLONG: President A P J Abdul Kalam allayed fears expressed by students in Meghalaya about hazards posed by the mining of the state's uranium deposits by saying that energy generated from the mineral was eco-friendly, radiation-free and very beneficial.

Uranium provides clean power in the country and the atomic energy division of the government provides a clean environment, including planting of trees wherever it sets up its facilities, he said while interacting with students of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) here. Replying to a question from a student on problems faced by villagers due to fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh Kalam said fencing was necessary.

But cultivable land should not be affected by it and economic activities should be intensified in border areas, he said. Kalam said the northeast has good potential in sports but the sportspersons of the region need proper training and guidance.

The Union sports and youth affairs ministry is playing an important role in this regard, he noted. Informed about the frequent occurrence of earthquakes in Meghalaya, Kalam said it was difficult to predict them. However, some countries were carrying out research in this field.