A CORRESPONDENT
DIBRUGARH: Despite the potential to become a great tourist spot, the century-old British Cemetery situated in the middle of Dibrugarh has been lying in a neglected state.
Altogether 103 British nationals were laid to rest in the cemetery built in 1862-63 at a cost of Rs 4,812. The first person laid to rest here was 33-year-old British Corporal Thomas Trail. The grave of British national John Henry Wagentreiber of 1776 is also lying at the cemetery. The grave of 29-year-old William Alexander Mackenzie Duncan, who was the Deputy Commissioner of Dibrugarh (headquarters of undivided Lakhimpur district), also lies at the cemetery.
The cemetery, situated along Assam Trunk Road near India Club, covers an area of 68,608 square feet and measures 168 feet in length and 2,556 feet in breadth.
Speaking to The Sentinel, Biplab Das, caretaker of the British Cemetery said, “Some renovation work was done two years ago but now no work for the development of the cemetery has been done. Bushes have spread everywhere. Recently, a foreign tourist came here searching for a relative’s grave but couldn’t find it.”
It might be noted that some renovation work was done in the cemetery but it was not up to the mark.
“It is most disheartening that so many shops have come up in front of the cemetery. They have encroached the land which belongs to the cemetery. Despite knowing everything, the district administration remains a mute spectator. It should be declared a heritage site because it is one of oldest British cemeteries,” said Minakshi Handique, a retired school teacher.
Earlier, the cemetery was under the care of ABITA, but a few years back, it was handed over to the Dibrugarh District Administration. The cemetery has not yet been handed over to Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation (DMC). Earlier, steps had been taken against the illegal encroachment but nothing positive came out of them.
“A fund was sanctioned for the development of the cemetery some two years back. But in the name of renovation, only plastering and cementing on the graves were done. Nothing has been done for the preservation of the cemetery,” alleged a local resident.
It has been alleged that earlier also, a fund from Zila Parishad was sanctioned for the boundary wall and renovation work of the cemetery but it was not properly utilized.
“We urge the district administration to clear all encroachment and preserve the cemetery. Dibrugarh has recently been declared as the second city of Assam after Guwahati and the British Cemetery situated in its middle can become a tourist destination if proper maintenance can be done,” said a senior citizen.
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