Official action: Around 10 houses destroyed as squatters removed
Assistant commissioners say all legalities were fulfilled before mobilising the demolition machinery.
MANSEHRA:
The district administration of Mansehra cleared several feet of encroached government-owned land on Tuesday by demolishing around 10 illegally built houses as well as a few shops in Balakot.
The anti-encroachment drive was led by Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Ali Asghar.
Asghar later told the media that the operation was conducted on Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road, an area where more than 248 encroachments were marked by the National Highway Authority six months ago.
According to the assistant commissioner, the encroached land measured between five to 12 feet, varying from building to building. More than 23 houses, a portion of a Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited office and six shops were identified as encroachments six months ago, said Asghar.
He added the occupants were served notices, asking them to demolish their structures or the authorities would do so.
The assistant commissioner further said many of the owners who were served notices cleared the government’s land voluntarily, but five shop owners, occupants of a government building and several house owners did not comply.
“They were given enough time to cooperate but they continued to use delay tactics, forcing the demolition squad to vacate and then raze the structures,” said Asghar.
Around 10 houses were completely razed, while the rest were partially destroyed, he added.
The assistant commissioner further said that all legalities were fulfilled before the demolition machinery was moved to the site.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2014.
The district administration of Mansehra cleared several feet of encroached government-owned land on Tuesday by demolishing around 10 illegally built houses as well as a few shops in Balakot.
The anti-encroachment drive was led by Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Ali Asghar.
Asghar later told the media that the operation was conducted on Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road, an area where more than 248 encroachments were marked by the National Highway Authority six months ago.
According to the assistant commissioner, the encroached land measured between five to 12 feet, varying from building to building. More than 23 houses, a portion of a Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited office and six shops were identified as encroachments six months ago, said Asghar.
He added the occupants were served notices, asking them to demolish their structures or the authorities would do so.
The assistant commissioner further said many of the owners who were served notices cleared the government’s land voluntarily, but five shop owners, occupants of a government building and several house owners did not comply.
“They were given enough time to cooperate but they continued to use delay tactics, forcing the demolition squad to vacate and then raze the structures,” said Asghar.
Around 10 houses were completely razed, while the rest were partially destroyed, he added.
The assistant commissioner further said that all legalities were fulfilled before the demolition machinery was moved to the site.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2014.