Rape of the rock: Now Jharkhand goes after ads

The Jharkhand government has decided to remove advertisements painted on the Chutupalu and Bariatu hillocks here. ‘‘We have asked the officers concerned to remove the paint without causing further damage to the rocks,’’ Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister R.K. Srivastava said.

These hillocks, of granite gneiss, are considered older than the Himalayas. Locals said most of the advertisements were painted during the past two years. ‘‘It looked dazzling. But no body ever objected to it,’’ said Bariatu resident Randhir Jha.

The government decision came after a local daily carried front page pictures of the hillock this morning. When asked the government’s action with regard to defacement of rocks, Srivatava said: ‘‘We stick to our stand that the defacement of rocks for commercial purpose can’t be permitted, specially after the apex court’s verdict on defacement of rocks along the Manali-Rohtang pass in Himachal. We are going to ask the Ranchi Deputy Commissioner to do the needful.’’