LAHORE: Unidentified people on Sunday demolished a portion of the boundary wall of Punjab University (PU) New Campus near its College of Information and Technology in a bid to occupy the land for making a passage.

The university administration lodged a complaint at Mustafa Town police station, stating that around 50 to 60 unidentified people, along with a tractor trolley and a car, attempted to illegally occupy prime land of the university after demolishing a portion of the boundary wall adjacent to a private housing society.

However, on receiving information, PU Resident Officer 1 retired Col Umer Khalid, Resident Officer 2 Jalil Tariq, Security Officer Shahbaz and others reached the spot and averted the situation and later called police on 15.

The university officials claimed that they were threatened and thrashed by the unidentified men.

As police officials reached, the trespassers fled from the scene. An investigation has been initiated.

PU spokesman Khurram Shahzad alleged that such elements have made several attempts in the past to occupy prime PU land. The university administration had foiled their attempts and also lodged a complaint at Mustafa Town police station.

PU Employees Union President Nasir Rehmat alleged that a tehsildar, who’s a senior member of the Board of Revenue, was backing the culprits, and some influential people wanted to construct a road to get additional access to Canal Road. He appealed to the chief minister to take notice of the incident and act against officials of the revenue department.

Chief Minister Usman Buzdar took notice of the incident and sought a report from Capital City Police Officer Zulfiqar Hameed. He also demanded an inquiry into the incident and a report be submitted in 48 hours. He directed to take strict action against the people involved in land grabbing.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2020