Nation-wide stir to protect Buddhist sites

VISAKHAPATNAM: Calling for protection of Thotlakonda Buddhist site leaders of All India Lay Buddhists Organisation (AILBO) decided to launch a nation-wide agitation demanding that the government protect the heritage site and cancel the order allocating land of the site to the Navy to create a passage.President of AILBO, Ragiri Ramudu, who visited the Thotlakonda Buddhist site, on the Bheemili Beach Road, on Sunday expressed concern over the government order of January 18 to allow the Navy to lay a 60 feet wide road through the site to create an approach for its base beyond Thotlakonda.He said it was the duty of every citizen to conserve our heritage like the Buddhist sites.Criticising the department of archaeology for not safeguarding the heritage sites, member of the all-India governing body of AILBO K Venkata Ramana Rao said once the Navy was allowed to create a passage it would immediately close access to the heritage site terming it a prohibited area.Noting that it was the Navy that discovered the heritage site during the aerial survey for setting up its base, he urged the Navy to build an approach road through Kapulauppada and spare the site.He saw a conspiracy of political leaders and land sharks in encroaching upon sites belonging to minority communities like Buddhists.Another member, Bora Venugopal Gautham said the site, spread over 600 acres, has been declared a protected monument but encroachments have reduced it, and added that a nation-wide agitation would be taken up to safeguard Buddhist sites.