Anti-encroachment drive: Encroachers given three-day deadline to vacate graveyards

Warned of strict action if they fail to comply with court orders.

SWAT:

On orders of Peshawar High Court (PHC), the district administration launched an anti-encroachment drive at graveyard on Tuesday.

The anti-encroachment drive was started at Rahimabad Graveyard. A team headed by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kamran Rehman and comprising assistant commissioner, chief officer municipal corporation, revenue officials and police, retrieved the illegally-occupied land. They also demolished several illegal structures constructed inside the premises of the graveyard.

Setting a three-day ultimatum, the team warned the encroachers to vacate the building voluntarily otherwise strict legal action would be taken against them.

Meanwhile, locals have appreciated the move. “We are relieved that a campaign has been launched against the encroachments. The Auqaf department could not have delivered the same,” Rahim Zeb, a social worker, told The Express Tribune. He added that lands in all the public graveyards were being occupied fast where permanent buildings have been constructed because the district government let them do so.

“We have informed the higher authorities time to time about the encroachments but they did nothing substantial to stop them. If the district administration took steps against them, none of this would have happened,” Gul Nasib, a local said, adding that it was the right move albeit started late.

“The anti-encroachment drive can only be successful when effective legal measures are taken against the encroachers to stop them from further occupation of not only the graveyards but also streams and rivers,” Bahadar Ali, a social activist in Mingora, told The Express Tribune.

Meanwhile, DC Rehman said that the district administration will ensure the PHC orders and demolish all the illegal buildings from graveyards. “Those who have constructed permanent buildings, they will be charged according to the market rates and if they failed to pay up, their buildings will be demolished and the land will be handed to the Auqaf department,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th, 2013.