50 skulls recovered in Dharwad

New Ind Press

Bangalore, 02 September 2010: The recovery of over 50 skulls and a few skeletons while clearing a drain in north Karnataka’s Dharwad district has sent the police and civil authorities in a tizzy.

 

 

The presence of a few skulls and skeletons was first noticed by the labourers clearing the drain at Annigeri in Dharwad, about 420 km from here, Saturday.

According to Dharwad deputy commissioner Darpan Jain, around 50 skulls have been found so far.

"The samples have been taken by the forensic experts in Dharwad to determine the age of the skulls. Help of the forensic laboratory in Hyderabad may also be sought. Officials from the Archeological Survey of India will also visit the spot for an assessment," Jain told reporters Wednesday.

The area has been cordoned off as scores of people started visiting the site as news of the recovery of large number of skulls spread.

State Home Minister V.S. Acharya told reporters here Wednesday that the area might have been a mass grave some 150-200 years ago.

"The area must have been a mass grave 150 to 200 years ago. It might be an abandoned cemetery or remains of people who died during a minor battle in the area 150 years back," he said.

"These are all assumptions. We have not arrived at any final conclusion," he added.