ISLAMABAD: A bus terminal was on Friday sealed by the capital administration after rival groups occupying the facility posed threats to the peace of the area.

Officials in the police said armed clashes had taken place between two rival groups over the bus terminal in April this year.

In this regard, separate cases were registered with the Noon police on different charges, including murder attempts.

Last year, the land was taken on lease from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) but later a bus terminal was set up there.

Assistant Commissioner Potohar Nishaa Ishtiak along with the police reached the terminal located at Jhangi Syedan in the area of Noon on Friday and sealed the terminal.

The action was taken after the area police reported that incidents of firing had become common in the bus terminal.

The officials said the piece of land measuring 1,040 square yards was taken on lease for one year from the CDA by Jamilur Rehman Tanoli for car parking.

The lease agreement signed with the CDA on June 22, 2015, would expire in a year. However, the occupants of the land did not vacate the land after the expiry of the lease period.

The no-objection certificate (NOC) issued to the leaseholder for setting up the car parking was suspended by the secretary Islamabad Transport Authority on June 30.

An inquiry conducted by Saad Aziz, the assistant superintendent of police (ASP) Industrial Area, said the rivals groups can disturb the peace of the area.

The police requested the local administration for proceeding under section 145 of the Criminal Procedure Code (procedure where a dispute concerning lands, etc., is likely to cause a breach of peace).

Besides, an application was also submitted to the capital administration by the local community, including Abuzar Bukhari, expressing fears about a possible armed clash in the terminal.

The police in another report stated that the spot was very sensitive as the CMT Depot Golra, 510-EME Workshop and an imambargah were located nearby.

Because of the daily skirmishes between the rivals, there was a danger to peace, the police added.

The officials said to avoid an untoward incident, the car parking space was sealed.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2016