Trackback URL
Download PDF At least 145 of the 158 protected archaeological sites in Rajshahi division are virtually unprotected in the absence of any security guards.
Archaeology Department Director Dr Md Shafiqul Alam admitted that a huge number of posts of night guards and security guards at sites including world heritage Paharpur Bihar in Naogaon have remained vacant for a long time.
“We sent several letters to the ministry concerned requesting it to appoint guards to the vacant posts and create new ones for ensuring better security of the archaeological sites,” he said.
A senior official of the Bogra regional office of the Archaeology Department said security at a few sites are being maintained with guards the department appointed on muster roll basis.
He informed The Daily Star that there are 34 protected sites in Mahasthangarh and adjacent areas but the department has only 17 workers on muster roll to look after them.
To maintain security properly at the Mahasthangarh site, which is 20,90,928 square metre (sqm), at least 51 permanent night guards and security guards are needed. But at the most important archaeological site in South Asia there are no security guards.
The senior official said only one security guard has been working at Paharpur Bihar although there are four posts. At least 32 security guards and night guards are required for the security of the site measuring 78,672 sqm.
The department has installed some lighting facilities for some portions of the site after many terracotta items had been stolen.
Meanwhile, 12 ancient monuments at Puthia of Rajshahi remain insecure as the department has only three guards on muster roll there, said a senior official of the directorate office.
A huge number of decorated terracotta items were stolen from the site a few years ago because there were no guards, said a former regional director of the department.
At least 51 security personnel are needed to maintain security at the site, said another official of the department.
A few sites including the Gour site in Chapainawabganj do not even have any posts of security guards to look after their security.
Comments are not moderated and only expresses personal views of visitors. BangladeshNews.com.bd is not responsible for commets posted by visitors.
Leave a Reply