NAVI MUMBAI: Human skull and bones were recently found in the silt of a 20-feet-deep masonry water tank in the CISF guarded Dronagiri Fort, Uran, by a group of 25 volunteers of the Shivraj Yuva Pratisthan, who were helping CISF personnel clean the water tank, built by the Portuguese in 1530.
The volunteers have cleaned five out of eight water tanks in the last four years and covered them with steel nets. The water is used by CISF personnel. Public entry and movement has been banned for over two decades within the fort premises.
“While removing silt, pebbles, etc., we often come across bones of dead cattle. However, pieces of a human bone and a skull were noticed in the presence of CISF staffers. The cleaning work was stopped and Uran police was informed,” said Ganesh Tandel, fort conservation wing head of Shivraj Yuva Pratisthan. “A team of eight cops reached the spot and collected the bones and skull in plastic bags. Forensic experts inspected the body parts and samples were sent to forensic lab. Our statement was recorded in police station,” he added .
“Our team is conserving forts and helping CISF with water,” said historian Jaikant Shikre. Senior inspector Sunil Patil confirmed the findings and said that probe is on.
