Graveyard encroachment creates tension

Bandi Ravinder Warangal: Minister for BC Welfare Baswaraju Saraiah warned the encroachers of the Muslim graveyard with Survey Number 670 at Mulugu Road in Warangal of stringent action. He visited the graveyard on Thursday following reports of its alleged encroachment by MA Masid, Mohmmad Sirajiddin, Mohammad Khurshid and Mahboob. Earlier, the alleged land grabbers were arrested by the police recently on the Sections 447, 427 (read with 30) of Constitution and released on bail, said Hanamkonda Inspector Venkateshwara Babu. Digging of graveyard created a lot of tension in the town. The accused allegedly colluded with some realtors and grabbed 13 guntas out of original 3 acres 18 guntas in the possession of graveyard. It was alleged these men collected donations from the Muslim community to take care of maintenance of the graveyard. It was also alleged by the community elders that after encroaching on the 13 guntas of land, the accused dug up 25 per cent of the graveyard and later levelled it. With the result, the skeletal remains of those buried had come out. Later, the accused land grabbers left in a huff without bothering about the consequences. The grave yard has a historical significance. It was used for burying Muslim warriors who lost their lives during a war between Pratap Rudra and Allauddin Khilji in the year 1310 AD. The graveyard was considered sacred by Muslims. Muslim elders led by Naseem Jahan, former chairman of Waqf Board, Md Yakub Ali, MA Rashid Siddique, Md Abdul Bari, Syed Tajuddin, MA Majid Siddique and others visited the graveyard and sought action against culprits.