Mining dispute: Two killed, another injured in Khanpur UC

Argument erupts between contractors over leased land

HARIPUR: At least two people lost their lives while another was injured in Khanpur union council on Saturday following a dispute over land leased for a stone crushing plant. The police have arrested 12 people in connection with the incident.

Khanpur SHO Khan Afsar told The Express Tribune two contractors from Bannu and Charsadda obtained leases for pieces of land situated on a hill near Suraj Gali to excavate stone.

However, when one of the contractors started quarrying on the land, the other raised a series of objections. “The contractor said that the portion of land his counterpart was excavating on fell within the limits of his leased property,” Afsar said.

This stoked an argument between both contractors and a large number of people, including those who were quarrying on the land, were embroiled in the conflict. The situation eventually spiralled out of the control and escalated into an armed clash.

During an exchange of fire, Amanullah, a resident of Mardan, and Dilawar Khan, who lived at Afghan camp No 13 in Haripur, were killed on the spot.

The deceased were mining on the land. Awal Daraz, who had thrown his weight behind the dissenting contractor, was critically injured.

According to the SHO, Daraz was shifted to Ayub Teaching Hospital (ATH) Abbottabad. The police have registered case and detained 12 persons from both sides.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2016.