BIHAR: Pakistan on Friday voiced concerns over the capture of more than six kilograms of radioactive material uranium in Jharkhand – a state in eastern India.
Reports in Indian media suggest that seven persons have been apprehended with at least 6.4 kilograms of uranium – a chemical element that emits alpha radiations.
The illegal sale of highly radioactive material in the second-most populous country occurred due to a number of factors including mishandling and failure of state agencies. The recent event marked the second time in less than a month as earlier law enforcers seized over seven kilograms of uranium available for being sold on the internet in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
This time, the prime suspect, who acquired the substance, is still on the run as officials failed to arrest him.
A senior police official, SP Chandan Jha, while speaking with an Indian outlet told that ‘at least seven people were arrested for mulling to sell uranium’. He said that ‘they captured the hazardous substance following a tip-off.’ Adding that, ‘they have sent the substance for further investigation as the veracity of uranium is still unknown’.
The statement further added that the senior cop refused to comment on the involvement of any investigating agency. Jha also ignored the query about the custodial interrogation of the detained persons.
The publication further stated that the detained gang members are said to be involved in the illegal uranium trade as they were searching for customers for it and had demanded around 5 million Indian Rupees. Two of the arrested members are reportedly history-sheeters.
The law enforcers are reportedly skeptical concerning how the culprits got their hands on uranium. The arrested members mentioned West Bengal, Giridih, and a number of different places- where they acquired the material used in nuclear explosives and advanced medical techniques.
The accused members have been booked under sections 414, 120B, 34, and under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Atomic Energy Act. Let it be known that this is the third time that officials in the South Asian country foiled the sale of uranium so far.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Pakistan Foreign Office voiced grave concerns over the seizure of a considerable amount of natural uranium for the second time in less than a month. Pakistan demands probe of the incident as India failed to protect nuclear material.
Pakistan is deeply concerned at yet another incident of attempted illegal sale of 6 kg of #Uranium in #India. Such incidents point to lax controls, poor regulatory & enforcement mechanisms, & existence of a black market for nuclear materials in India.
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) June 4, 2021
In a press release issued today, ‘Pakistan reiterates its call for the thorough investigation of such incidents and measures for strengthening the security of nuclear materials to prevent their diversion’.
‘The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 and the IAEA Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) make it binding on states to ensure stringent measures to prevent nuclear material from falling into wrong hands,’ the press release reads.
POLICE SEIZES 7KG OF URANIUM FOR THE SECOND TIME IN INDIA, PAKISTAN WARNS WORLD OF SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS
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