Warangal: The dismantling of the 150-year-old ‘Hindu Smashana Vatika’ at Sakarasi Kunta in Kareemabad of Warangal by the officials of the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation without notices received flak from various sections of people here in Warangal district.
The family members of Akarapu had donated 15 acres in the name of Akarapur Veera Lakshmi for the Hindu graveyard. From then it was considered the biggest graveyard in Warangal district which was used by Hindu communities.
Later on, five acres were allotted by the government and a colony was set up in the name of Akarapu Veeralakshmi. But four days back, officials of GWMC without giving any information, demolished the Samadis in the name of development.
Several people from various communities thronged the graveyard and staged protests halting the works.
The BJP’s district unit president Ganta Ravi Kumar said it is sad that the GWMC officials demolished the Samadis of several eminent personalities including freedom fighters, former MLAs and MPs, IAS officers, purohits Shiva Gurus and yogis. The BJP along with local people will fight for the protection of the graveyard, he added.
Members of the Sakarasi Kunta Smashana Vatika Parirakshana Samithi said every year, family members and disciples of Shiva Gurus visit the Sakarasi Kunta graveyard and perform puja on the death anniversaries of their beloved.
Without issuing any notice or statement, GWMC staff trespassed on the Hindu graveyard and dismantled the graves, they alleged.
The GWMC never bothered about the development of the graveyard. Till date there is no watchman, no water facility and even no gate. But all of a sudden it demolished the graves on the pretext of development, they added.
GWMC officials said Rs 2 crore was allocated for the development of the graveyard within GWMC limits under the smart city project. The GWMC is pursuing to take up the work.
