It is with great pain I bring to your notice media reports about the proposed allotment of land in survey number 314 (old) of Kapulauppada near the ancient Thotlankonda Buddhist site near Visakhapatnam town.
This is being done to construct a VIP guest house by the state government. Media reports say that on 16th August 2020, Bhoomi puja was performed by officials.
There is considerable agitation among the people as this land forms part of the ancient Thotlankonda Buddhist site. The fact of the matter is that the entire survey number is rich in archaeological evidence relating to the Buddhist era of the 3rd century BC.
Sir, constructing anything in an area with spiritual significance is deeply disturbing. Further, it violates in full Article 49 of the Constitution of India, which states, “It shall be the obligation of the state to protect every monument or place or object of artistic and historic importance, declared by or under law made by Parliament to be of national importance, from spoliation, disfigurement, destruction, removal, disposal or export, as the case may be”.
Another fact is that Andhra Pradesh enacted in 1960 the AP Ancient and Historical Monuments, Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. Under this Act the state government has also notified this site through GO Number 627, dated 02-05-1978.
Further, this matter has come up in the Hon’ble AP High Court in Writ Petition Number 173/2016 and they directed the state government to ensure that no construction is taken up in survey number 314 (old).
The Supreme Court too in their order on 16-01-2012 in CA Number 2431/ 2006 specifically said that another 300 meters of buffer zones should also be protected, regulated, and prohibited from any construction. They directed the authorities not to violate the site.
It is given that the AP government officials are violating the Central laws, the state laws, the AP High Court, and the Supreme Court directions. Their actions are illegal and need to be stopped immediately.
I earnestly request you to please form a high-level committee to visit the site for necessary investigations and recommendations to ensure that the Thotlankonda Buddhist site is fully protected.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
(K RAGHU RAMAKRISHNA RAJU)
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