Allow further archealogical excavation at Keezhadi: DMK

: DMK today urged the Centre to allow further archaeological excavation at Keezhadi near Madurai, work on which has been reportedly stalled by Central Advisory Board of Archaeology, and provide necessary funds for this purpose.
DMK Working President and Tamil Nadu Opposition Leader M K Stalin alleged that the Board had decided to stall the excavation at Keezhadi and said he had taken up the matter with Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Mahesh Sharma.
In a letter to Sharma seeking action on the matter, Stalin took up the "unfortunate decision' of the Board to stall exacavation at Keeladi,- a small but a historical village near Silaiman on the border between Madurai and Sivagangai District in Tamil Nadu."

An excavation of Archaeological Survey of India there has revealed an ancient and important landmark of Tamil's civilization dating back to Sangam era,ie 2500 years ago, he said.
Last year a group of archaeologists from ASI "was able to excavate a major and monumental settlement near Keezhadi in which wells, red brick walls, pottery and ornaments, including bone accessories, iron spears and a ceramic tile with a Tamil inscription were abundantly found," he said.
While people of Tamil Nadu were anxiously waiting to know the true and ancient history of the state," in a sudden and surprise move, Archaeological Survey of India has been refused fund and permission to continue the excavation- though in Northern and Eastern States such excavations are being allowed liberally to continue even for more than ten years," he said.

People of the state were not only agitated over this "calculated denial", but it also has become a great shock and disappointment to the people, he said.
"Each and every one in the state suspects whether the central advisory board of Archaeology is attempting to scuttle the excavations that will bring to light the prestigious and true history belonging to the people of Tamilnadu. I sincerely hope that you will appreciate the fact that the sentiments of the people should not be in any way hurt by such unilateral and unjust decision of Central Board of Archaeology of India."
"I therefore seek your intervention in the matter and kindly request you to instruct the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology of India to immediately permit the Archaeology Survey of India to resume exacavation at Keezhadi and also to provide necessary fund which will discover the prestigious, cultural and very ancient history of Tamilnadu," he said.