Railway land: Residents of katchi abadi protest eviction notices

Administration had sent notices to people to vacate their homes.

FAISALABAD: Dozens of residents of a katchi abadi built on railway land staged a protest demonstration on Sunday in Faisalabad.

The residents were issued notices on Friday to vacate the houses.

The protest rally, led by Federation of Katchi Abadis president Malik Bashir and general secretary Muhammad Sharif, started from the Railway Station Chowk and ended in front of the DCO’s office.

The participants were carrying placards inscribed with slogans against the railways administration.

The protesters said they would not vacate their houses and continue their protest until the withdrawal of the notices.

The protesters staged a sit-in in front of the DCO’s office.

Bashir said they had been living in the abadi for more than 30 years and had electricity and gas connections.

“This katchi abadi has been approved by the Board of Revenue.

The Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) granted ownership rights to the residents of the locality seven years ago,” he said.

He said the railway administration’s decision to send notices was illegal.

“The railways officials are harassing the residents and intend to use the land for commercial purposes,” Bashir said.

Addressing the rally, Sharif said that the residents would continue their protest till withdrawal of the notices.

MPA Haji Khalid Saeed, the additional district collector and the katchi abadis director negotiated with the protesters and assured them that the issue would be taken up with the railways administration.

Talking to The Express Tribune, the railways divisional superintendent said that the notices had been sent after a survey of the katchi abadi.

“A majority of the houses have been built very close to the railway track.

The administration has to ensure the safety of the railway track. All quarters built in the prohibited zone will be razed in accordance with the law,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2014.