PESHAWAR, Nov 29: The Balmeek community from across the province will hold on Nov 30 a protest public meeting against the proposed demolition by the Peshawar Cantonment Board of two of their compounds also having a temple.

The Board authorities had previously given a deadline of Oct 31 to the Balmeek community members here for vacating the two compounds, housing 70 families and a 140-year-old temple. However, due to timely interference by the ministry of defence and severe protest by different organization and community members, the Board postponed the programme for the time being.

Both the Balmeek community and the Cantonment Board have been claiming ownership of the vast piece of land housing the two compounds here at Kala Bari area in Peshawar Saddar. From commercial point of view the spot is of immense importance and very expensive as in the area a number of plazas have been constructed.

The Kala Bari area was bustling with activities on Saturday evening as a number of guests had arrived from other cities for participating in the meeting.

A representative of the Balmeek community, Ram Lal, told Dawn that community members would arrive from Nowshera, Kohat, Hangu, Mardan, Risalpur, Bannu, etc., for attending the public meeting. The meeting would be addressed by leaders of minority communities including MNA Giyan Singh, former MPAs Dr Singhar Singh and J.R.Gill, said Ram Lal.

He informed that they have also extended invitations to different political leaders including Saleem Saifullah of PML(Q) and MPA Nighat Orakzai.

Mr Lal said that they had learnt that the Cantonment Board authorities had in its report to the ministry of defence claimed ownership of the two compounds, whereas in fact these were the properties of minorities. He added that if they remained silent the authorities would demolish their houses and the temple.

He said that they were informed in October that after Ramazan, the authorities would hold talks with them for finding a way out. The issue has been lingering on since 1986.

The Cantonment Executive Officer, Fida Hussain, had sent a letter to the inmates of the two compounds on Oct 11, directing them to vacate the place till Oct 31 as on that date the compounds would be demolished. Now, the authorities claimed that the issue would not be solved through use of force.

A delegation of the Balmeek community had called on the additional secretary defence, Maj-Gen Ashraf Chaudhry, on Oct 23 and informed him about the concern of the community.

In the letter sent to the community members, the Cantonment Board has claimed that the 84 Ahata Tipu Sultan Road (Kali Bari) Peshawar Cantt was illegally occupied by the Hindu community of Kali Bari, Peshawar Cantt.

The inhabitants of these compounds claimed that the temple was constructed in 1861-70 by the upper cast of Hindu community.