Days after deciding to construct a memorial for 1857 Ajnala martyrs, the Punjab Government on Tuesday decided to constitute a concept committee of eminent historians “to arrive at a proper and considered view on the entire matter regarding the construction of a memorial and to pay befitting tribute to the people whose mortal remains have been found from the well at Ajnala in Amritsar district”.
The committee comprise of Punjabi University vice-chancellor Prof Jaspal Singh as chairman, with historians Pirthipal Singh Kapoor, Prof Harish Sharma from GNDU, Prof Mujjafar Alam from New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University, Deputy Superintending Archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India Dr GN Srivasatva and local historian Surinder Kochhar as members.
Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs SS Channy said that the decision has been taken after his visit to the site at Ajnala on March 8, and subsequent brief given to the Chief Minister.
He informed that the excavation of these mortal remains has led to large number of people visiting the site. “The excavated items of human skulls, bones, Victoria Service medals and coins are of great importance to the people and although local society has made arrangements for its custody and display, the responsibility for these articles rests with the Government for which action will be taken,” he said.
Channy added that other demands of the Society, which had carried out the excavation, like provision of a 40-feet road to the site, the deletion of word “Kala” being used with the name of the place, last rites of the mortal remains, preservation thereof (if possible), setting up of Memorial for the incident and to ascertain the names of the martyrs through relevant historical documents are also being considered and have been made part of the scope of the Concept Committee and further action will be considered by the State Government based on the findings and recommendations of the Concept Committee.
Channy said that with regards to the last rites of the remains and their preservation, it may be decided by the local committee or the community, while associating other groups and people. Necessary coordination will be made by the District Administration in this regards. He added that the ‘well’ from which these mortal remains and other items have been recovered is situated on Defence land in the town of Ajnala. “This land is used as a camping ground by the Army. Union Ministry of Defence will be informed and asked to look into the matter,” he said.