SIVASAGAR, Jan 2 � Frequent earthquakes and seismic surveys being undertaken by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation are posing a threat to Assam�s 18th century amphitheatre Rang Ghar, in Sivasagar.
At least 35 cracks have been noticed at various places on the walls of the historic Rang Ghar and the Rongpur Kirti Sinha Sangrakshan Samity (RKSSS) has taken a serious note of the fact.
Visiting this majestic sports pavilion, built by Swargadeo Pramatta Singha on earlier foundations laid by Rudra Singha and Shiva Singha, president of RKSSS and former minister Promod Gogoi, secretary Dharma Baruah and others expressed serious concern over the cracks and raised questions against the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and accused it of indulging in foul play with funds released by the ONGC.
Addressing mediapersons on the Rang Ghar premises, Gogoi said that the ONGC had sanctioned Rs 2.80 crore for the maintenance of Rang Ghar, Kareng Ghar, Talatal Ghar and Charaideo maidams and released Rs 80 lakh for the purpose in 2001-02. �But the ASI has not submitted the report of expenditure for the last 10 years, as a result of which another Rs 2 crore has not yet been received from the ONGC for the purpose,� Gogoi alleged and demanded an investigation into the matter.
It needs mention that the Ahom royals used to watch fights of elephants and bulls and enjoy the festivities during Assam�s national festival Bihu, from atop the Rang Ghar, a Mongolian-style relic.
