Land grab: LDA recovers 250 kanals of encroached land
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) on Thursday recovered 250 kanals of land from illegal occupants in Nasir Ganj Village of Moza Rakhpura amid firing in the air, manhandling of the officials and stone pelting by the encroachers. Four LDA officials were reportedly injured. Police said cases against 25 people were registered.
The 257 kanals of LDA land was encroached by occupants in Nasir Gunj village of Moza Rakhpura. This land was allotted for LDA Avenue-1 housing scheme for government employees. LDA gave the occupants three days to vacate the rest of the seven kanals.
The LDA official said that an agreement had earlier been signed between LDA and the Revenue Department about jointly determining the status of the land after it was recovered from the illegal occupants.
Maryam Kayani, the LDA additional director general (Head Quarters), who supervised the operation was abused and assaulted. Later, she was accused by two women, identified as Raheela and Zahida, of slapping them.
An LDA official, who was at the scene, said it was only after the women started pulling her dupatta, after which Kiyani hit out in self defence.
He said Kiyani has now given the illegal occupants three days to vacate the rest of the patch of land. Despite several notices earlier when the occupants did not move, Kiyani, accompanied by police contingent and other LDA officials, arrived at the site for the operation.
A statement later issued by the LDA said that the illegal occupants had attacked Kiyani, Special Judicial Magistrate Bushra Naseer and three women constables during the operation. It said Kiyani had slapped the women in self defence.
Raheela and Zahida denied attacking Kiyani. They said they had only requested her not to demolish their homes.
Commissioner Jawad Rafique Malik told The Express Tribune that he had ordered an inquiry into the matter. He said that District Coordination Officer Noorul Amin Mengal will hold the inquiry and will submit his report within 24 hours.
Enforcement Director Khawaja Javeed Aslam told The Express Tribune that the land belonged to LDA since 2003. He said that several notices had been served to these occupants to vacate the land, however, it was of no avail. He said that the operation was completely legitimate and there was noting illegal.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2012.
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@Visitor: People there have not took even a single penny from LDA.... that's why they are protesting...
Dear fellows, Lda has acquired the land lawfully. No stay has been granted by any court. The people of nasir gunj has taken 4 lac per acre which was the dc rate in 2003 of undeveloped land. Price goes up with Lda development works. Now these land granted are trying to get some more money by creating gundaizm. They must be backed by some political gangsters also. There is a law by whom Govt can aquire any land even if the people are to be displaced. Just like in Santnagar lots of houses were demolished to make the road broader.
Judiciary is the one who listen both side views and gives final judgement to protect the constitution and basic human rights.If someone violate the law Judiciary has a option of law enforcement authorities ( Police, Army ) to tackle the hurdles. People of "Nasir Gang" had filed their case in High court but decision is still pending. How LDA can use police with them before any judgement. ?As I mentioned above police is the tool which judiciary use to protect the human rights not to demolish the people. If property belongs to LDA so why have they offered few thousand per kanal in past to residents .? LDA can not inter-fare in someone's personal belongings(land), they can only buy it after paying fair rate according to the market value.Rather then to make it issue of civil and Government dispute, all concern authorities and departments have to wait and respect the judgement of judiciary and basic human rights, rather than to use illegal activities.
Well moazam ur words are making sense to me. And i think If sm1 is putting such a serious issue infront of public. He shld have a broader study and impartial opinion based on both sides point of view.
@ Umar: Exactly, that is what i wanted to convey..... why LDA is offering money if its belongs to LDA?
@ Grace & ali : If the land belongs to people of NASIR GANG and they have paid for it in 1960s & also if the case is the courts LDA has no right to occupy these lands without paying just amount of money to the people to whom those lands belong. I am inclined to agree with moazam. Suppose your land comes under a housing society & they want to purchase it; would you sell it only because government wants you to? You will always ask for the market rate.
50,000 per Kanal... is this a joke ? when case is in court who gave LDA authority to do the operation. they should be courteous enough to give notice before doing the operation. they are playing with people lives who have genuine case. if people there are living illegaly then why LDA is offering any money ???
@ Grace & ali: I think you people are unaware of actual facts.
@Grace... I think you are unaware of the complete story. People living there have paid for the land and LDA don't have any authority to vacate land.
You are wrong...even if they are living since 1947 they are illegal @Moazam:
@Moazam: People who have illegally occupying the land since the 1960's should be asked to vacate. Time doesn't make illegal occupation of land legal. I support the LDA and Punjab government for teaching people the law.
This is just a one sided article... The writer infact is not aware of the complete story. That 250 Kanals belonged to the residents of Nasir Gunj who were living there since 1960's. LDA has announced that area in Award, but the residents have not took even a single rupee against this land. Residents were not willing to give their land as LDA was offering just RS. 50,000/ Kanal. We can't get 1 kanal at this rate in any area of pakistan. Residents filed a case in Civil and Session court. Case is under-hearing , in the meantime on May 03, 2012, Additional DG LDA, Maryam Kiyani came with a force of 100+ LDA officers and 150+ Policemen. They arrested most of the residents from their houses and then started the operation. They didn't even give respect the Court, as matter is under hearing in court. They destroyed most of the houses while residents are under custody yet.
I am glad that the LDA is taking steps against people who do things illegaly. That's why there is still stability in Punjab.