KARACHI, June 26: Accusing police of providing shelter to the land mafia, the EDO revenue has requested the city Nazim to take action against the police officials who refused to come to his assistance when he attempted to remove encroachment from Gutter Baghicha.

In a letter, whose copies have been sent to the governor, the chief minister, the chief secretary, the IGP Sindh, the director NAB and the DCO, the EDO has requested the Nazim to get an an FIR registered against UC Nazim Talib Brohi and his accomplices under the relevant provision of law. He has also asked the Nazim to take action against the TPO Site and the SHO Pak Colony for protecting land grabbers. He has also urged that the DIG operations be made to understand that he should bring to book his officers involved in land scams, particularly those posted in Gadap Town, Baldia Town and SITE Town.

The letter draws the city Nazim’s attention to the fact that 50 acres of the CDGK land in Gutter Baghicha have been encroached upon.

President Musaharraf in 2002 had announced to convert Gutter Baghicha, spread over an area of 1000 acres, into a modern park for Karachiites.

On June 4, some unscrupulous elements took over possession of 50 acres and constructed a wall around the land. The encroachment was reported by social organisations.

On June 20 the EDO, under instruction from the high-ups, took up the matter with the DCO Karachi and the DIG operations at the office of the chief secretary Sindh for the provision of police force, which was promised by the DIG.

On the same day the EDO, along with some KMC staff and the SHO and a few cops from the KMC police station, visited the site where the construction of the boundary wall was going on.

But contrary to the commitment, no police assistance was provided, even though the TPO SITE and the SHO Pak Colony were constantly contacted.

The EDO urged those persons present at the site of encroachment to stop the construction as the matter was subjudice and status quo had to be maintained by all the parties. But six men, armed with weapons and led by UC Nazim Talib Brohi, started indiscriminate firing and tried to take the EDO hostage. The matter was reported to the DCO for police assistance, but to no avail.