Suspend officials for ‘treasure hunt’: YSRC

Villagers of Chennampalli up in arms against excavations in fort, officials take up digging with police protection

KURNOOL: Opposition party YSRC has sought the suspension of revenue and mines department officials who are responsible for starting excavation works at the historic fort located at Chennampalli village in Pattikonda Assembly constituency of Kurnool district. Although villagers of Chennampalli in Tuggali mandal are up in arms against excavations in the fort in search of treasure, the Mines and Geology and Revenue department officials have taken up digging works in the past few days with heavy police protection. 

YSRC leaders, including Public Accounts Committee Chairman Buggana Rajendranath Reddy, Nandikotkur MLA Y Isaiah, MLC Gangula Prabhakar Reddy, party State secretary BY Ramaiah and party Pattikonda incharge Cherukulapadu Sridevi, met District Collector S Satyanarayana at his chamber here on Monday evening to register their objection. Later, the Public Accounts Committee  Chairman told media that this fort is believed to be dating back to the 16th century. The fortress and bastions are found to be intact, he added.

He said no official from either the ASI or State Archeology Department were present at the site, which could lead to gross irreparable damage to the fortress. He demanded an inquiry into the matter with the utmost urgency and information regarding the authorisation to permit excavations in this historic monument. 

He wanted to clarify whether the excavations were being done on someone’s oral instructions and who was accountable for it.He also asked the Collector to probe and let them know the officials who have employed machinery such as excavator, compressor and other heavy machinery used in the excavation and drilling as well as department and authorised officials making payment for the services utilised in performing these diggings and excavations in the said area.

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