Former Union Minister, Saifuddin Soz has urged Union Minister of Culture, Prahlad Singh Patel, to establish a museum at Burzahom archaeological site in Kashmir and “transfer back the archaeological antiques to the site.”
In a press statement issued here today, Soz said he haswritten to the Minister of Culture, Government of India, that Burzahom can bean attractive place for interested visitors, particularly for the youth ofJ&K, who should know more about their archaeological wealth and theirhistory.
He said he has requested the minister to establish a museumat the site in Kashmir and transfer back the archaeological antiques to it.
“I also requested the minister to station the SuperintendingArchaeologist for Srinagar Circle at Srinagar as this office was shifted toJammu in 90s, temporarily,” he said.
Soz said he has also written a letter to Vijay Kumar,Advisor to J&K Governor “requesting him to ask the Sports Department of thestate to disband sports activities in the notified area of Burzahom and providean alternative site to serve as playground for the youth of the area.”
Soz said during his recent visit to the Burzahomarchaeological site, along with Mohammad Shafi Pandit, former Chief SecretaryJ&K state and Mohammad Saleem Beg, currently convener of INTACH, J&Kchapter, they found that this site of great historical significance presented aneglected look.
“On this occasion, I learnt that the archaeological antiqueshad been shifted by ASI to Delhi, way back in 90s, as a temporary measure forwriting a comprehensive report on the site,” he said.