ISLAMABAD: A man, whose land was occupied by the land mafia, died of a cardiac arrest in the district courts on Saturday.

Relatives and neighbours of the deceased blocked Islamabad Highway at Kak Bridge in the limits of Loi Bher police by placing the body on the road.The protesters chanted slogans against the police and demanded removal of the station house officer (SHO) Loi Bher and the relevant superintendent of police (SP), saying they failed to retrieve the land of the decreased.

National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior Chairman Raja Khurram Nawaz reached the spot and assured the protesters that he would look into the issue personally and ensure justice for the family of the deceased. Later, the protesters dispersed.

Despite efforts by Islamabad Traffic Police to maintain flow of traffic through alternative routes, the commuters suffered.

A piece of land owned by Mazhar Bhatti was occupied by the land mafia in the limits of Loi Bher police. He sought help from the police but no one bothered to take action against the land mafia.

He approached court to get the land but on Saturday he suffered a heart attack and died on the premises of the district courts.

The ITP in a statement claimed that it ensured flow of traffic during the protest and diverted traffic on service roads.

Meanwhile, newly-appointed Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Afzaal Ahmed Kausar on Saturday visited five police stations and checked working environment and dealing of officials with the public there.

During the visit, he checked records and building infrastructure of Industrial Area, Sabzi Mandi, Margallah, Kohsar and Aabpara police stations.

The DIG said issues of the police personnel would be resolved and the officials can visit him every Tuesday for sharing their professional and personal problems which will be resolved on priority.

He directed all the SHOs to remain present in the police stations from 3pm pm to 5pm daily and to listen to complaints of the citizens.

He said no highhandedness would be tolerated with anyone. He also appealed to the citizens to cooperate with the police for elimination of crime and ensuring peace in society.

The DIG (operations) also chaired a meeting with the CIA staff. The CIA officials briefed him about working and structure of the department.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2021