Landowners protest Khanpur Park acquisition

Several detained as locals protest TMA operation to take possession of land earmarked for tourism project

TAXILA:

A dispute between the administration and local landowners intensified during an operation to acquire 58 kanals of land allocated for a proposed Family and Children Park near Khanpur Dam in Mohra Darra.

During the grand operation by the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Khanpur, local residents, including women and children, staged a protest, while police detained several people for allegedly interfering in the official operation. Sources said more arrests were also expected.

According to details, a petition related to the land had been dismissed by the High Court around one and a half months ago. Following this, Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMO) Khanpur Ayesha Tahira, TO-I Mohammad Javed Khan, Assistant Commissioner Khanpur Qazi Junaid Khalid, SDPO Khanpur Raja Mohammad Bashir, Tehsildar Mohammad Mushtaq and other revenue officials reached the site along with a heavy police contingent to take possession of the land reserved for the proposed park.

At the start of the operation, landowners stood in front of heavy machinery along with women and children and protested.

They said they would not hand over their agricultural land to the administration at the current compensation rate. The landowners claimed they were being offered around Rs1 million per kanal, whereas the market value of land in adjoining areas was much higher.

They said the offered compensation was unacceptable.

During the operation, TMA's encroachment staff, sanitary workers, fire brigade personnel and heavy machinery were present at the site. A large contingent of Khanpur police, including female police officials, was deployed to maintain law and order. During the protest, police detained several people and youths on allegations of obstructing government officials.

Talking to the media, TMO Ayesha Tahira said the 58-kanal land was being acquired for the construction of a Family and Children Park and parking facility in public interest after fulfilling all legal requirements, including Section 4 proceedings.

She rejected the impression that possession was being taken without compensation, saying that the land award had already been issued and funds for payments to affected people were available in the account of the Deputy Commissioner Haripur.

Assistant Commissioner Khanpur Qazi Junaid Khalid said the administration's primary responsibility was to maintain law and order and ensure implementation of court and legal orders.