KARIMNAGAR: Within one month, miscreants targeted yet another ancient monument in Karimnagar district for ‘hidden treasures’.
A tunnel was dug up, in search of a treasure trove, at Racharla Fort, which was built in 1400 AD. The incident came to light two days ago. About one month ago, unidentified miscreants damaged 2000-year-old Buddhist stupa at Dulikatta in the hunt for a treasure trove.
According to historical records, Singamraju, a Kakatiya king, ruled the province in which Racharla Fort fell. “Gold coins embosed with the images of Sita Ramanjaneya were in circulation under his rule and the miscreants might have been searching for them,” historians suspected.
Historians flayed the Archaeology department for neglecting the upkeep of several monuments in the district. Meanwhile, knowing about the incident, activists of Telangana Jagruthi, led by district convener T Tirupati Rao, visited the Fort, 70 km away from the district headquarters, on Friday.
They examined the tunnel dug by miscreants and urged the Archaeology officials to protect old monuments by deploying security personnel. They also urged the Archaeology authorities to create awareness among people about the need to preserve historical places.