In the Zhambyl region, land containing Scythian burial mounds has been sold. Local residents claim that the stone balbals have been destroyed and the burial sites completely demolished.
As reported by informburo.kz, villagers are bewildered as to how a businessman carrying out construction managed to secure deeds to land protected by the state.
"Here, all the stones are positioned at a specific angle. This is a cemetery. They are destroying a historic site. This is the nation's heritage," asserts Askar Kyzylov, a resident of the Merki district.
The entrepreneur, for his part, claims that he obtained documents for a plot of land that had been resold several times. According to him, therefore, all questions should be directed to the local authorities.
"I have all the permits. Here is the cadastral number of the land plot: 0692039331. The designated purpose of the land plot: construction of recreational zones and public service facilities," reported businessman Kaysar Moldakulov.
At the same time, specialists from the monument protection and restoration department stated that the actions of the local akimat, which transferred the land, are currently being assessed by the relevant authorities.
"Mounds dating back to the early Iron Age and late Middle Ages were identified there. Our relevant authorities are determining when the land was transferred. We, like you, identified the situation and prohibited construction," said Talgat Sultanov, an inspector at the local history museum of the Merki district.
Meanwhile, the acting akim of the Merki district, Bakytzhan Abzhaparov, stated that the land plot was issued back in 2007.
"Perhaps it should not have been issued at the time? It was issued in 2007. See? I cannot comment on the leadership of that time. Perhaps that was the situation then, perhaps it was a mistake. Perhaps it is related to the district administration not having sufficiently studied the plot allocation at the time," commented the acting akim.
It is reported that the police department is currently searching for the lost balbals, while the land relations department is looking into the error made in the document.
However, it remains unclear when the matter will be finally resolved, and whether anyone will be held accountable for the unacceptable treatment of the country's cultural heritage.
Furthermore, regardless of who violated the law concerning state-protected lands, there are clear signs of vandalism. And finding the guilty parties in that case is far simpler.