MALAKAND, Dec 23: A local land mafia has illegally occupied the land of the NWFP Auqaf department in the Malakand Agency.

Source said big properties of Auqaf and local government departments were in possession of some influential locals. They alleged that the district council officials were hand in glove with the mafia.

Despite court orders, government officials have failed to take any action against the illegal occupants, who have paid no fares for the shops and other properties of the Auqaf department for 20 years.

According to the sources, in some other areas of the agency, the mafia has levelled graveyards and constructed shops over the land.

The local people have called upon the provincial government to conduct an impartial inquiry into the land scam.

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