Dibrugarh: The Dibrugarh district administration will soon carry out an eviction drive to vacate the area around the 18th century Christian cemetery here.

Deputy commissioner Laya Madduri said on Thursday, "We will carry out an eviction drive to clear the area around the cemetery from encroachment. We have carried out a survey and will soon take up a project for restoration of the century-old cemetery. We have already taken up the matter with the state government and Rs 1 crore will be allotted for the restoration under the city infrastructure development fund. The funds will be released after we submit a detailed project report."

Sources said many illegal liquor shops have come up in the area around the cemetery, which is in a dilapidated state.

Bipul Das, caretaker of the cemetery said, "I came here six years ago and I am tired of anti-social elements entering the cemetery, drinking alcohol and creating a ruckus. They have also damaged a few tombs."

He alleged that the nearby Lions Club has dug a small hole in the wall and pushed a pipe through it to flush out sewage water in the cemetery.

He claimed that sometimes workers from a nearby hotel also store liquor bottles in the cemetery. "When I protest, they abuse me verbally and chase me away," he said.

Das said many foreign tourists come and pay respects to the departed souls.

Altogether 103 British nationals were laid to rest in the cemetery built in 1862-63 at a cost of Rs 4,812. According to official records, the first person laid to rest was 33-year-old British corporal Thomas Trail.

The grave of 29-year-old William Alexander Mackenzie Duncan, who was deputy commissioner of Dibrugarh (headquarters of undivided Lakhimpur district), also lies in the cemetery.

"If the district administration takes steps to conserve the Christian cemetery, it will become a tourist spot," a senior citizen said.