ISLAMABAD: Incidents of land grabbing and related issues were discussed at a meeting at the Central Police Office on Monday, during which officers decided once again to take action against police personnel assisting the land mafia.

During the meeting, Inspector General of Islamabad Police (IGP) Dr Sultan Azam Temuri directed the police to take action against those illegally occupying property and involved in harassing people by firing into the air.

However, no action or inquiries have been ordered against police officials suspected of involvement in such practices, including the in-charges of a police station and a subdivision who allegedly assisted the land mafia and the proscribed leader of a banned outfit in occupying land, officials told Dawn.

They added that the individuals made three attempts to occupy land in the Noon village earlier this month, and the police refused to register the case when the owner of the land approached the police.

The case was registered after an order from a district and sessions court, they said.

The owner also submitted an application to register a case against the station house officer (SHO) and sub-divisional police officer (SDPO).

The landowner, Musawar Abbasi, told Dawn he had purchased 200 kanals in Noon village, which the capital’s land mafia had an eye on who, along with the chief of the banned outfit attempted to occupy the land on April 4, 6 and 9.

Shortly after the first attempt, Mr Abbasi said he took a complaint to the Noon police station, which refused to entertain it. He said he then approached the sessions court and submitted a petition under Criminal Procedure Code section 22-A.

The petition sought directives for legal action against the Noon SHO and Shams Colony SDPO, as they had supported the alleged occupiers and brought them to the land in question in official vehicles, he said, adding that the leaders of a banned outfit and influential figures from the capital affiliated with political parties were also involved.

The court ordered the police to register a case on the attempted occupation of land and against the two police officials.

“Another petition was submitted in the court under CrPC 22-B seeking court directives for the implementation of its order over the registration of cases against the officers,” Mr Abbasi said, adding that the hearing is scheduled for next week.

The case was registered on April 17, under sections 427, 337, 447, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code and the arms’ ordinance, with the Noon police.

During Monday’s meeting, the IGP asked for regular briefings and checks on the performance of investigating officers and action against those involved in lax policing.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2018