Lakhiyun Jo Darro, classical example of negligence

http://www.sindhtelegraph.com/index.php/education/32-education/917-lakhiyun-jo-darro-a-5500-years-old-civilization-victim-of-government-neglect-

“Lakhiyun Jo Darro” a 5,500 years old civilization victim of government neglect
Written by Yasir Babbar
Monday, 31 May 2010 18:59

A Sindh Telegraph exclusive by: Yasir Babbar

“Lakhiyun Jo Darro” a 5,500 years old Indus civilization; a victim of ignorant citizens, and un-interested government of Sindh

Lakhian Jo Darro, 5,500-years-old historical place in Sindh is still waiting for Go dot, who will come and give it rebirth for the young generation of the province. So far, Pakistan Peoples Party’s Sindh government has turned a blind eye towards this archeological marvel.

Though, PPP’s government has entered in the 3rd year of rule, but they didn’t do anything for the preservation and development of Lakhian Jo Darro. While, Asif Ali Zardari, after becoming the President of Pakistan, had decided to return the control of historical places to the provincial government, but the actual control and authority has yet to be transferred to Sindh, from the federal government. Earlier, Federal government was looking after the Sindh’s archeological sites.
Actually, it’s the main responsibility of provincial culture department, and the reins of this important portfolio are in hands of Sasui Palijo.

Though, Sasui Palijo hails from a very important political, social, and literary family of Sindh, but she hasn’t play a significant role in this regard. Perhaps, due to the lack of power and authority.
Earlier, minister Sasui Palejo had visited the Lakhian Jo Darro in 2009, and granted only a meager amount of Rs2 million for the development and security of the remains. In this connection, a police check post was established at, and exploration work had started again on the site. But all of a sudden work was stopped.

After the stopping of excavation work, police department had felt that the constables are wasting their time at the check post, thus, they removed the check post without a notice.
In present situation, the historical site of Lakhian Jo Darro is looking like an open field, where the labourers from brick kilns are digging ground of this very important archeological site to collect dirt for making bricks, while the authorities of culture department and Sahah Latif University team are taking a deep sleep.

Near past back ground:
In the era of Arbab Ghulam Rahim, ex Chief Minister of Sindh, SITE department had allotted the plots of Lakhian Jo Darro for the construction of a marble factory. Soon after, this issue was taken by media and the SITE department was compelled to cancel the allotments.

After this issue, Kamran Lashari, the Project Director of provincial government’s special initiatives at that time, had visited the site and granted Rs.1 Million for the excavation of Lakhain Jo Darro.
“Lakhiyun Jo Darro” a 5,500 years old civilization victim of government neglect

Talking to The Sindh Telegraph, Ghulam Mustafa Shar, ex Chairman of Department of Archeology SALU, has said that I was the chairman, when SITE department of Sukkur had allotted the plots of LJD site for the construction of the factories. He added that, we had launched a movement against this step with the help of media.

Mr Shar said that after the cancellation of plots, Sindh government had given a grant of 1 Million rupees for the development of Lakhianm Jo darro, but soon after the Vice chancellor of SALU Dr Neelofer Shaikh removed me from the post of chairmanship without any reason.

He further said its proper job of culture department to further explore the very historic place, and build a museum, which is necessary for the saving of LJD.

This correspondent had made several attempts to contact the vice chancellor of SALU, Dr. Nelofar Shaikh, for her comments on this issue, but she was never available to talk to. Interestingly, Dr. Shaikh is a renowned archeologist herself, and the first ever excavation work on LJD was started under her supervision.

Lakhian Jo Darro is situated near a village and graveyard named Lakha, in Sukkur. The area is in the middle of the city in the middle of the industrial site; the plots for which were allotted in 1970s. Unfortunately the archaeologists had not surveyed the area at that time. Now this area is under Sindh Industrial Trade Estate (SITE) department and is called the Industrial Area of Sukkur.


Yasir Babbar is a sindh based free lance journalist. He has contributed to many Sindhi, English, and Urdu newspapers and magazines.
http://yasirbabbar.blogspot.com/