'Land grabbers' resist anti-encroachment operation

Defy police, district admin officials reclaiming 200 acres of land

KARACHI:

A heavy contingent of Steel Town police, accompanied by the district administration and Pakistan Steel Mills management, faced strong resistance from protesters during an operation to clear 200 acres of land allegedly occupied by encroachers.

The protesters pelted police and government vehicles with stones, damaging a police mobile and several other official vehicles. As the situation turned tense, the operation was temporarily suspended.

According to police, the operation was launched to reclaim 200 acres of valuable Pakistan Steel Mills land from an alleged land-grabbing group.

However, the authorities halted the operation temporarily due to the resistance and escalating tension in the area.

Police said a case would be registered against those involved in the violence.

The protesters, meanwhile, termed the operation illegal, claiming that the land belonged to the village and saying they would not vacate it under any circumstances.