44 families living on archaeologically important mound in Sirsa shifted
HISAR: As many as 44 families living on a mound (locally referred to as ther) of archaeological importance in Sirsa town have been shifted to two-room quarters.
But the families who have been shifted to the quarters in the Housing Board Sector 19 complained that the rooms are small. They have requested the government to make proper arrangement of their rehabilitation as followed the instructions of court and the local administration.
The archaeological department on Tuesday filed a status report in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in this connection.
Director general (archaeology and museums) Praveen Kumar said, “This is an ancient site. The mound is as old as the famous Sanskrit grammarian Panini who gave a comprehensive and scientific theory of phonetics, phonology and morphology about 2,500 years back.”
“I stayed with the families living on the mound. The residents’ demand for proper rehabilitation is genuine. Later, they will be shifted to some other place after selecting a proper location for them," Kumar said.
Kumar said as soon as the department gets order, the team will start excavation on the top of the mound.
In a press release, Sirsa deputy commissioner Prabhjot Singh said, "The administration has arranged flats for the 44 families who have been staying on the mound. We have also forwarded the families’ request for providing them land for proper rehabilitation near Begu and Kanganpur villages."
As per the local administration, there are about 800 families (3,000 people) living on or near the mound, a centrally protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
These families are learnt to have been staying here for more than five decades.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court wanted the entire mound to be cleared, but the state government submitted that those living in the lower areas be allowed to stay for now.
Geeta Devi, a member of the 44 families, said, “The rooms of flats allotted to us by the government are very small. They must provide us land and loan so we can construct our houses afresh.”
Rajesh Kalu, another resident, said, “Some officials have promised to allot us land and loan.”
Local Congress leader Naveen Kedia said the government has failed to provide proper land to wthe mound residents.
FAMILIES SAY ROOMS OF QUARTERS ALLOTTED TO THEM IN HOUSING BOARD SECTOR 19 ARE CRAMPED