ISLAMABAD: Strong resistance by encroachers compelled the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to put off anti-encroachment operations in Bari Imam neighborhood on Monday.

People have constructed houses on the CDA’s land in the area.

On Monday, the CDA made an attempt to retrieve its land but had to give in to strong resistance put up by the encroachers and left the area without doing any serious operation.

Sources said that only four illegal structures were razed.

The sources said that an official of CDA’s water directorate was also among the residents of the area.

A large number of houses have been built on CDA’s land in the Bari Iman and its adjoining areas, and are sold to various people either on stamp papers or on verbal agreements.

The CDA sources said that encroachers pelted CDA’s teams with stones.

When contacted, Assistant Director Riaz Khan, who was supervising the operation said there was strong resistance by encroachers.

He said now operations would be started after Eid holidays.

The CDA official said that matter of interference by a CDA official has been reported to high-ups while CDA also moved an application with Aabpara Police Station to start legal proceedings against all the encroachers, who resisted the operation, he said.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2018