Jaisalmer: Residents of Sonar Fort in Jaisalmer held a protest on Tuesday evening to express their frustration over Archaeological DepartmentThe fort’s strict regulations prevent them from repairing their decaying houses inside the fort. The protest was sparked after a section of the fort wall collapsed earlier in the day, highlighting the urgent need to restore the historical monument.
The residents, who have lived in the fort for generations, gathered at the Akhey Prol, the first gate of the fort, and recited Hanuman Chalisa. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) repeatedly denied them permission to carry out necessary repairs to their dilapidated houses. The residents alleged that all attempts to carry out restoration work were met with legal notices and FIRs, which further aggravated their difficulties.
The locals stressed that the wall collapse was not an isolated incident and that the third gate of the fort, Ganesh Prol, was also on the verge of collapse. They have repeatedly expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of their houses and warned that if timely repairs are not made, it could have disastrous consequences. They stressed that both officials and public representatives are aware of the situation but have not taken any concrete action to address their grievances. The protest also highlighted that the residents are finding it difficult to get basic services like water and electricity connections, which require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the municipal council. The residents have long been demanding changes in the ASI laws.
The protest caught the attention of the local authorities. SDM Pawan Kumar, SP Dharmendra Dukia and other police officials discussed with the residents. After the administration assured them that their concerns would be taken into account and a meeting with the district administration would be arranged on August 8, the residents agreed to call off their protest late in the night.
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