Incensed: Locals take to the streets in Batkhela against encroachments

Threaten to take matters into their own hands if govt does not act

BATKHELA: Residents of Meezaram in Batkhela protested against encroachments along Mian Sultan Baba graveyard on Sunday.

They threatened to remove the encroachments if the relevant authorities did not take action against them within two months. In addition, residents said Malakand administration and Batkhela Tehsil Municipal Administration would be responsible for any losses or consequences.

The warning was issued by a peace committee in Meezaram.

The protest was led by Malik Haq Nawaz Khan. Participants included the peace committee’s president, Haji Habibur Rehman, vice president Jan Sher Bacha and general secretary Qari Muhammad Irshad.



The protesters said the encroachments have created countless difficulties for them therefore the matter should be resolved immediately.

“They must be razed to the ground within two months to provide room for village council offices,” one of the residents said. According to the protester, the encroachments have inconvenienced locals and are likely to have long-term consequences.

“[Illegal encroachments] have paved the way for wild animals to roam freely in the graveyard and for garbage to spread over the premises.”

Although the Malakand DC and Batkhela AC had been informed about the situation, the request appears to have fallen on deaf ears.

A large number of protesters said army officers were also approached in this regard and the Supreme Court had also passed a decision to remove encroachments.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st,  2016.