Squatters pose as IDPs

Survivors alleged that land grabbers were robbing survivors living in relief camps.

KARACHI: Flood survivors at the Sachal Goth relief camp have claimed that more than 2,500 activists of a political party, disguised as flood survivors, are trying to encroach upon government land and a private housing project on Super Highway near Bundoo Khan Restaurant.

They alleged that land grabbers are not only robbing vehicles that pass by during the night but have also taken to robbing survivors living in relief camps. The goods sent by the government are also looted on the way.

These men have also started selling parts of the encroached land after dividing it into plots. Meanwhile, incidents of robberies and other crimes have also increased in the area.

Flood survivors have appealed to the government to take action against these land grabbers and to expose their identities after arresting them. They believe that they are earning a bad reputation through no fault of their own.

They say that the same group of the land mafia  also grabbed government land on previous occasions and the local administration carried out an inquiry against them a few months ago. The land was successfully freed.

Earlier, they had allegedly taken over 2,500 flats owned by the welfare board but the encroachment was removed. Since the land grabbers had escaped then, it is suspected that the same group has resurfaced.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2010.