Locals obstructing excavation of Laurer Garh
Work will continue, say archaeology dept and local admin
After a few days of excavation, archaeologists have become hopeful about the re-emergence of “Laurer Garh”, the seat of a long-lost kingdom of greater Sylhet region.
A team of the Department of Archaeology started excavating the historic site on November 14, but after a week of excavation, some locals allegedly started hindering the work.
The department – along with local administration – however, is willing to continue the excavation, despite the obstacles.
According to history, the ancient Laur kingdom's capital was situated here – sprawling over 30 acres of land of Halhalia and nearby Brahmangaon village under Tahirpur upazila in Sunamganj. Ruins of a fort, palace and other structures are still visible.
According to the Department of Archaeology, this site has other historical marks which clearly demonstrate that several civilised societies lived on the same land.
People started living in the ruins and formed a village after the Liberation War and they are now trying to stop the excavation work in fear of being evicted, the upazila administration and archaeology department officials said.
On November 18, some of them verbally abused and threatened local union parishad member Abdur Rouf for assisting the excavation. Rouf later filed a general diary with Tahirpur Police Station.
Nandan Kanti Dhar, officer-in-charge of the police station, said police are ensuring security at the excavation site and will take actions against people trying to obstruct the work.
Purnendu Deb, upazila nirbahi officer of Tahirpur, said the excavation will continue with the help of local administration as this will put the locality on the map.
Dr Ataur Rahman, regional director of the archaeology department, said that no local will be evicted from their land.
“They will be delighted when people from all over the world start coming here. Tourists and researchers will come to visit the site. We will continue our work,” he said.