TAXILA: In a second such operation within a week, the local administration has retrieved state land from stone crushers quarrying limestone illegally in Hassanabdal.

Briefing mediapersons on the site of operation, Assistant Commissioner Adnan Anjum Raja said that the around 13 stone crusher plants were quarrying limestone on an expired lease over 46.03 acres state land since long. He said that the crushers had also occupied state land which was used by them for transportation of crushed stones.

“The illegal occupation of land had not only blocked free access of the local villagers to their houses, but was also creating other problems for them due to movement of dumpers, trucks and trailers,” Mr Raja said.

He said that a team of local administration along with revenue staff and a police contingent visited the site and retrieved the state land from illegal occupation of the stone crusher s after proper demarcation. He said that on the request of villagers, heavy trenches were dug with the help of machinery so that the heavy dumpers and trailers could not resume their activities again.

Earlier, as many as 13 stone crushing plants were sealed for illegally quarrying limestone in Babarki area of Hassanabdal. An FIR was also lodged against the owners of stone crushing plants.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2019