Police asked to stop illegal excavation

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 7: The Malda district administration has expressed its concern over the way historical sites, such as Gour, are of late being excavated by the racketeers. The recent theft of antique items from Gour, it seems, has awakened the officials concerned.Officials of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), it may be recalled, had lodged complaints with the district administration on the third week of October and on 5 November as well. They urged the administration to stop the menace. It was alleged that racketeers had dug out many valuable items and made some big tunnels there, making it difficult for the ASI authorities to undertake routine survey. The ASI officials reportedly told the administration that criminals are selling ancient bricks and other valuable items after stealing those from the protected areas, such as Gour, situated near the India-Bangladesh border. It may be recalled that Gour was set up in the 7th century as a sovereign kingdom of Bengal, during the period of King Shashanka. Then the Palas were eclipsed by the Hindu Sena dynasty (1095 to 1260) and Bengal came under the Islamic rule in the 13th century. Over 15 monuments were built in the 14th and 15th centuries at Gour, officials said. The Malda district magistrate, Mr Chittaranjan Das, yesterday instructed the police to stop excavation at Gour by the criminals. After the DM's instruction, the police last night raided several areas to nab the racketeers involved in illegal excavation. No one, however, has so far been arrested, sources said. The Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, said that a special raid would be conducted soon. "A special police picket would be set up at the site where a group of locals are stealing ancient bricks and other antic items. A new officer would also be posted at the existing police camp at Gour," Mr Mondal, said.