SHANGLA: Local archaeologists and civil society members here on Thursday criticised the archaeology department and district administration for not taking steps for the protection of archaeological sites and sculptures in Shangla from being defaced by the local people.

They told mediapersons here that Shangla had many sites of the Gandhara civilisation, particularly the stone-carved Buddha statues, but neither the provincial archaeology department nor district administration had taken steps for their preservation and protection.

Ijaz Hassan, an archaeologist from Puran tehsil, said that there were two large and five small Buddha statues at Doma Domai site, which had not been preserved or protected from the people. He claimed he had witnessed a group of people at Doma Domai area of Puran harming the stone-carved sculptures.

On the request of civil society members, regional officer of the archaeology department accompanied by AC Puran and revenue staff visited the site on Wednesday and met the local people.

The officials showed interest in preservation of the sites and protection of the sculptures.

Israruddin, a resident, said the archaeology department should excavate and preserve these sites and open them for religious tourism which would help the government in generating revenue and provide job opportunities to local people.

Niazur Rehman, regional officer at the archaeology department, told this scribe he along with AC Puran visited the site. He said that he was preparing a report on the issue and action would be taken against those involved in defacing the statues.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2021