Guntur, July 14, 2013: Alarmed by the frequent digging of interiors of the sprawling Kondaveedu fort for hidden treasures which posed a threat to the ancient structure, the Fort Development Committee has appealed to the Police Department to curb the illegal activity.

At a meeting with urban SP B.V. Ramana Kumar here on Saturday, committee convener K. Siva Reddy stated that thieves and other anti-social elements regularly dig inside the fort expecting to stumble on antique items and other valuables but they rarely find the ‘treasures’.

However, their activity caused a great deal of harm to the historic fort of which only broken walls and entrance gates remain.

Responding to the committee’s plea, Mr. Ramana Kumar said he would soon visit the fort and also the nearby Vennamuddha Venugopala Swamy temple situated in Chengizkhanpet.

Necessary action would be taken by the Police Department to curb plundering of the heritage monument with due cooperation of the local people. Instances of looting of the fort would be looked into, the SP said.

Earlier, Mr. Siva Reddy presented a book written in English on the Kondaveedu fort and a copy of a 45 minute–long documentary. The Kondaveedu fort is the prime attraction in this yet to be fully developed tourist circuit.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 14, 2013.