Inquiry ordered into Mana caves demolition

TNN Jul 16, 2011, 05.29am IST

CHANDRAPUR: Demolition of 2000-year-old Mana caves located in Mana opencast mine have evoked sharp reactions from all walks of life. While collector has initiated inquiry into the matter, Buddhist organizations have threatened of agitations to press for stringent action against the WCL authorities. Local MP and MLA too have condemned the incident and demanded strong action against those responsible for destruction of the heritage site.

It has come to fore that former collector Pradeep Kalbhor had directed (vide letter dated June 9, 2009) to CGM of WCL Chandrapur area to ensure the safety of the Buddhist caves and see all excavation work around the historic caves are stopped with immediate effect. Three years back former CGM of Chandrapur WCL area Umashankar Tiwari had also given written assurance to Buddhist organization not to damage the ancient Buddhist caves. But WCL took no heed of collector's directives and continued the excavation work, turning the block bearing caves into tall tower looking hillock and finally demolished the caves on Tuesday.

Buddhist caves’ demolition: Authorities assure of action

PTI THE HINDU , JULY 17, 2011 

Authorities at Chandrapur have said they would take up with the State Archaeology Department the issue of reported demolition of four ancient Buddhist caves during mining activities.

Amid reports that the four caves, located around 3 kms from here, were destroyed during the routine mining activity of the Mana Opencast Mines of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) on Wednesday, District Collector Vijay Waghmare said WCL “had not obtained any permission for the demolition of caves”.

“We would take up the issue with the State Archaeology Department,” Mr. Waghmare said.

Former District Collector Pradeep Kalbhor had issued letters to WCL in 2009 asking it to stop mining activities around the Mana Tekri area with immediate effect, said Ashok Singh Thakur, a historian and Convener of local Chapter of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, who has taken up the issue of saving the caves.

However, WCL still continued with the mining activities using explosives, destroying the ancient caves, he alleged.

Assistant Director, State Archaeology, Anand Bhoyar said that even though the caves were not listed as protected monuments, no one including WCL, had the authority to “destroy these historically important monuments.”

Meanwhile, WCL officials in Chandrapur area were not immediately available for comment.