Bantwal: Three-Century-Old Skeletons Found in School Premises

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Mar 3: Workers who were digging land at Mudungarukatte School in Balepuni village in Bantwal taluk near Konaje on Friday March 2, discovered four skeletons lying buried at the spot. They were working to lay foundation pillars for the construction of the headmistress’ room, under a project sanctioned out of the zilla panchayat member’s grant.

The skeletons are stated to be over three centuries old. Although initially the work was stopped after recovery of skeletons, the workers continued work thereafter, leaving the skeletons in their original places.

The president of the school betterment committee said that it is believed that Hanafi Muslims used to reside in the area over 300 years back, and that it is said that the burial ground and mosque of Muslims was located here then. “The school came into existence during the British era about 120 years back. We will consult the priests of all the religions and will move ahead as per their advice,” he said, expressing the hope that the incident will not cause any problems.

Some Muslim scholars, who were contacted by the concerned, felt that in all likelihood, people afflicted by contagious diseases or people who died en masse would have been buried in the past together. They thought that it can also be the burial ground of a religion where such practice was in vogue. They have advised to honourably bury the skeletons just like in case of death of a human being, without giving rise to unnecessary complications.

Image for display purpose only, and has no bearing with the incident reported.