Archaeologists seek security from Jharkhand Maoists
By Indo-Asian News Service
http://in.news.yahoo.com/050502/43/5ydsl.html
Ranchi, May 2 ,2005 (IANS) Maoist guerrillas are affecting not only development work in Jharkhand but are also threatening workers and officials of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) who are working to preserve monuments and other heritage sites in the state.
On April 27, ASI employees engaged in restoration and conservation work of Jami Mosque a Mughal monument in Sahebganj, 500 km from here were warned they would be kidnapped if they did not stop work.
The ASI's Ranchi circle has taken a serious note of the threat.
"This is the fifth time that ASI employees have been threatened by the extremists," said ASI superintending archaeologist O.P. Chauhan.
"In the past we had not taken the (Maoist) threat seriously, but now we cannot avoid it," he added.
The ASI had informed the district administration of Sahebganj, the state police chief and other officials about the threat.
ASI officials are feeling the heat after the abduction of some labourers employed by road construction companies last month.
The ASI is engaged in over a dozen of preservation projects, most of them located in the Maoist-infested areas of Palamau, Chatra, and Lohardagga districts.
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