LAHORE, July 19: Data Ganj Bakhsh Town Naib Nazim Mian Usman was on Monday prevented from presiding over the Town Council session convened by him. Mian Rashed, Khurram Shahzad and other government-backed councillors objected to Mian Usman's presiding over the council session when he occupied his seat for starting proceedings of the session requisitioned by them.

They told him that they would not allow him to preside over the session come what may, and their group member, Mian Riaz, would chair the session instead. Mian Usman adjourned the council session and left the hall along with the councillors of his group.

Later, councillors of the government-backed group held a council meeting in accordance with the agenda approved by Mian Usman. Mian Riaz presided. Town municipal officer Amjad Husain Dhillon compelled the council branch staff to record the proceedings of the meeting.

Talking to newsmen after the meeting, Mian Usman said the scene created in the council was part of the government plan to seize the control of the town. He said the opposition had won in Ravi Town and Data Ganj Bakhsh Town in the local elections in 2001. The government had seized the control of Ravi Town and was out to take over Data Ganj Bakhsh Town now, he said.