HARIPUR: The Khanpur Dam authorities here on Wednesday reclaimed 150 kanals from an illegal occupant, official sources said.

The action was taken following a recent judgment of the Supreme Court, said Mohammad Bashir, Wapda’s sub-divisional officer at Khanpur Dam. He said that one Waqar Ali had been occupying the land located on the left bank of Khanpur reservoir since 2007. The occupant had developed a farmhouse on the Wapda’s land and despite notices he refused to vacate it.

According to SDO Mohammad Bashir, the occupant failed to prove his case in the court of law.

Referring to the last week’s judgment of the Supreme Court in favour of Khanpur dam authorities, the official said that after dismissal of appeal of the occupant, the dam authorities on Wednesday razed the cemented structures of the farmhouse built on the Wapda land 13 years ago.

Contingents of Haripur police remained deployed on the site of the farmhouse on this occasion.

GANG BUSTED: The local police claimed to have busted a gang of motorcycle lifters and recovered nine stolen motorcycles from their possession.

According to a press release issued from the office of district police officer, following frequent cases of motorcycle theft the police arrested alleged gang leader Raheel Khan and recovered a motorbike from his possession.

The suspect during investigation confessed to be leading a gang of thieves and on his information the police arrested Faisal, Mohammad Ali and Adnan and recovered nine motorcycles they had allegedly stolen from parts of the district.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2020