Decades old Hasnainabad Graveyard in ruins

Cattle munch on grass and plants resulting in disrespect of graves

ATHARA HAZARI:  

Keeping the sanctity of graveyards, the final resting place for the dead, is the responsibility of the people and the government. However, it has been observed that most graveyards in almost every city are in deplorable condition. One such burial place, decades old Hasnainabad Graveyard located in Athara Hazari Tehsil, is one of them.

A visit to the area by Express News scribe transpired that the graveyard has been in a shambles for a long time and is in ruins. Besides, the sanctity of the graves has been compromised as children use it as a playground to play cricket and other games.

In addition, cattle munch on grass and plants in the graveyard resulting in disrespect of graves. With the passage of time, a number of graves have been damaged while long weeds, wild plants and bushes have also covered most of the burial places.

Lack of maintenance has resulted in development of pits at different places in the graveyard. During rainfall, these pits fill with water which damages the graves. The graveyard also lacks a boundary wall, exposing the graves.

However, problems do not end here. The place is also littered with trash, while cats and dogs could also been seen roaming in the graveyard in search of food.

Moreover, there is no regular gatekeeper to protect the graves. Criminals frequently visit the place and engage in illegal activities. They also use the graveyard’s premises to sleep and hide from the police.  To make matters worse, the graveyard also lacks proper lights giving the entire place a haunted look.

While speaking to Express News, residents of Athara Hazari said that the authorities should address the problems at the earliest. They appealed to the Jhang Deputy Commissioner and officials concerned to construct a wall around all the four corners of the graveyard to protect the sanctity of the graves. They said that the provincial government should release funds for the maintenance of the graveyard.

They also demanded that wild plants and bushes should be cut down, while proper arrangements of lights must be ensured to facilitate holding of funerals at night.