Burdwan Municipality has acquired part of the historical Peer Bahram graveyard to develop a residential complex over there, causing resentment among the Muslims.
Spread over 44 bighas of land, the graveyard is famous for having the graves of Mughal Governor of Bengal Qutbuddin Khan Koka, a foster-brother of Emperor Jehangir, and a Turkish nobleman Sher Afgan Istajhi, who was at that time the jagirdar of Burdwan. There was a fight between Sher Afgan and Qutbuddin soon after the latter was appointed the Governor of Bengal in 1606, in the course of which both were killed. The tombs of Qutbuddin and Sher Afgan lie side by side in the graveyard.
The Muslims of the district have been trying to protect the graveyard from any adverse possession. In this connection they have appealed to the district administration as well as the State Waqf Board and the Minister In-charge of Waqf.
District Magistrate Maneesh Jain said soon after his office received complaints SDO (North) was asked to enquire into the matter, and action can be taken after the submission of SDO’s report. The municipality however has started digging the ground and it is apprehended that the construction work will start soon.