GUJRANWALA, Feb 1: The district nazim ordered recovery of at least 25,000 kanals of state land on the bank of Chenab river in Wazirabad and Sodara from some landlords and directed forest department to plant tree saplings there.

Reports said, the district nazim was informed by some union council nazims and councillors that the official land of Chenab Bella had been occupied by some landlords who were growing paddy, wheat, vegetables and fodder there since long, which was illegal.

The nazim ordered the revenue department to identify the official land and recover it from grabbers immediately. He also directed the forest department to start plantation of tree saplings there.

It has been alleged that the land grabbers had constructed their outhouses on the state land and were providing shelter to notorious proclaimed offenders and fugitives in Chenab Bella.

The area landlords and farmers could not inform police about the criminal activities due to fear of retaliation by the land grabbers.

Protest: Scores of residents of Kot Ladha village demonstrated outside the DPO office to protest against, what they termed, implication of four youths in false dacoity cases.

Reports said on Wednesday that Amir Shehzad, Asif, Ijaz and Riaz of same village quarrelled with each other over an old enmity.

The protesters alleged the police arrested the youths and allegedly booked them in false dacoity cases, also claiming recovery of illicit arms from their possession, when they declined to grease the palms of some police officials.

The protesters chanted slogans against police and demanded suspension of police officials concerned.

However, DPO Dr Arif Mushtaq came out of his office and after listening the complaint ordered an inquiry into the matter. Naushera Virkan investigation cell DSP has been appointed inquiry officer. Later, the villagers dispersed peacefully.

BOOKED: A former councillor was booked in a kidnap case after he nabbed a proclaimed offender in a murder case here on Wednesday.