The Meghalaya government Thursday decided to keep in abeyance the proposed exploratory drilling for uranium inside the ecologically-fragile Balpakram National Park (BNP) in South Garo Hills district.

'We have decided to communicate to the centre the sentiments of the local people on the proposed exploratory drilling for uranium inside Balpakram,' Chief Minister Mukul M. Sangma told IANS.

Sangma, who held a closed door meeting with the Garo Student's Union (GSU) over the exploratory drilling, added that the government will take people into confidence through deliberations and to enlighten the people about the proposed drilling exercise.

'Yes, the government (Meghalaya) has endorsed our appeal in good spirit and the government has decided to keep in abeyance the proposed exploratory drilling for uranium inside BNP,' GSU General Secretary Sanjeeb Sangma said.