Fencing of 75 per cent of 8,064 graveyards completed: Nitish

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Monday said that 75 per cent of the total 8,064 graveyards in the state have so far been fenced.

"In the year 2006, the state government carried out a survey as per which 8,064 graveyards have been identified as those where there are dispute or could become a matter of dispute in future. Fencing in 75 per cent of these 8,064 graveyards have been completed so far", Kumar said in the state Assembly.

The chief minister said he has directed the officials to complete fencing in the remaining graveyards at the earliest.

Kumar was replying to RJD member Yaduvansh Kumar Yadav's query during Question Hour. Yadav wanted to know about the fencing of Lal Khan Dargah (graveyard) in Supaul district as the sanctity and security of the same is being affected.

While intervening for Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav who as in-charge minister for Home was replying to the question, Kumar said that the rules have already been framed for carrying out the fencing of graveyards and the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police have been entrusted to carry out fencing on a priority basis.

Both DMs and SPs have given the responsibility of identifying the graveyards which could be taken up on a priority basis, he said, adding that MLAs and MLCs can also recommend for getting the fencing done through CM Local Area Development funds, provided the graveyard they recommend comes in the list of 8,064 identified graveyards.

The CM said that if there are other graveyards apart from those in the list, the government would consider for carrying out fencing if members give in writing.