SUDHNOUTI: The deputy commissioner of the Plandri district of AJK has been accused of causing unrest among the people by allowing the construction of a mosque on a disputed land in a remote village.

A two-member inquiry team deputed by the district administration about two months ago had declared the piece of land as the property of the government boys’ middle school in the Qillan village.

The committee had recommended the demolition of the mosque terming it an encroachment on the official land. The report of the committee (copy available with Dawn) also stated that the construction of the mosque had created tensions among the villagers.

The villagers said a local court had also stayed any construction on the land. Besides, they said, the district mufti had given a verdict against the construction of the mosque on the disputed land.

However, Abdul Qayyum, a local resident, alleged that the deputy commissioner set aside the recommendations of the commission and allowed the members of a group to construct the mosque.

Another villager, Mohammad Imtiaz, said the tiny village had already two mosques and a vast area designated for offering Eid prayers, and the construction of another worship place at a deserted place was unnecessary.

“In fact, the people bent on building the mosque want to occupy the land for constructing shops there and thus squeezing the space for the schoolchildren,” he added.

Nisar Khan of the village said if the construction of a mosque was so necessary, it could be built on a place agreed to by all the residents.

He said the station house officer of the Trarakhal police station was supporting the group constructing the mosque.

He also alleged that a constable from the village posted to the police station was using his influence on the matter.

Sardar Hafeez said the issue had repeatedly been brought into the notice of local lawmakers but to no avail.

He said the residents were willing to resolve the matter on their own.

When contacted, the deputy commissioner said he had visited the place and found no harm in the construction of the mosque.

However, he said he would order the demolition of the structure if anything untoward happened. He also denied that the commission had recommended against the construction of the mosque.

Despite repeated calls on his mobile phone, the commissioner of the Poonch division could not be contacted for comments.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2014