DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
JAMMU, july 1
The Bahu Fort Development Committee (BFDC), led by President Kr. Rajeev Charak along with Vice Chairman BFDC Advocate Ishant Gupta, has launched a protest against the Archaeology and Museums Department of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the District Administration of Jammu. The protestors shouted slogans against the Archaeology Department, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Jammu, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
During the protest, Charak spoke to the media, expressing their anger over the lack of action against unauthorized construction within the protected Bawe Wali Mata Temple at Bahu Fort. He revealed that they had informed the Archaeology Department two months ago about the illegal construction of a shed by unknown individuals. Despite multiple complaints, the department has only passed the responsibility to the DC Jammu without taking any concrete action. Charak further added that this type of incident is not happening for the first time. It has now become a habit to damage the protected monument, and every time the archaeology department plays the game of passing responsibility to the district administration and others by writing letters but doing nothing and taking no appropriate action. He said seven years ago, they also informed the department that illegal construction was at its peak, but no action was taken, and the protected monument was damaged with multiple illegal constructions like langer shed, multiple temples, concrete cement shelter shed, and other cemented constructions.
Charak highlighted a letter from the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology, and Museums, dated May 17, 2024, which was sent to the DC Jammu. The letter was about the erection of a shed on the main entry gate of the Bahu Fort within the prohibited area under the J&K Ancient Monument Preservation Act, 1920. The letter emphasized that the Bahu Fort, a protected monument, is being encroached upon without any approval from the competent authority. The letter also referenced the J&K Ancient Monument Preservation Act, 1920, which prohibits new construction within 100 meters of the monument site. Violations of this act can lead to the removal of unauthorized structures and legal action against the offenders.
The letter also referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Ancient Monument Preservation Rules, 2012, which require permission from the government for any construction or excavation within a protected area. Despite these regulations, the district administration has not taken any effective measures to stop the illegal construction.
Charak also questioned the role of the police, pointing out that there is a police post within the monument. He raised concerns about how construction materials could be transported and used without the police’s knowledge and approval.
The Bahu Fort Development Committee urges the District Administration to take immediate action to halt the illegal construction, investigate the matter, and hold the culprits accountable under the law to protect this historic site.
Prominent members present at the protest included Kuldeep Raj Gupta, Hardesh Khokhar, Capt Moti Lal, Mukhtiyar Singh, Neel Kanth, Kasturi Lal Sagotra, Dr. Davinder Singh, Vinod Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Gird
hari Lal, Nitesh Thapa, Deepak Kumar, Tanish Mehra Bal Krishan and others.
