ISLAMABAD: The capital police have detained seven alleged land grabbers under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance 1960.

The police are also trying to trace the whereabouts of four other persons, who went into hiding to avoid their arrest.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat said action was being taken against those considered threat to public peace. Reports were sought from Special Branch over these suspects as a number of complaints had been received against them. Besides, a couple of cases were also registered against them in different police stations, he added.

Officials of the capital administration and police told Dawn that the arrests were made in response to a directive from the prime minister. Earlier, a man complained to the prime minister that he was a retired official and owned a piece of land at Ghouri Town, Islamabad. He said his land had been occupied by land grabbers and he was unable to retrieve it.

The PM directed the capital administration to take action against the land grabbers, said the officials. In reply, the capital administration sought details from the police about the land grabbers in the city.

The Special Branch submitted a report against 10 people over their alleged involvement in land grapping practices.

Besides, the police operation wing also informed the administration about cases registered against the land grabbers.

The police said 14 cases each were registered against Raja Razi Rehman and Mohammad Nazak at Bhara Kahu and Ramna police stations.

Moreover, 14 cases were also registered against Raja Farooq at Nilore, Khanna, Kohsar and Margalla police stations. Similarly, 10 cases were registered against Chaudhry Abdur Rehman at Koral police station.

Nine cases were registered against Riazul Hussain at Bhara Kahu and Margalla police stations and eight cases were registered against Farmanullah at Bhara Kahu police station.

Three cases were registered against Ansar Mehmood at Loi Bher police station. All these people were property dealers and allegedly involved in land grabbing.

Keeping in view the report, the deputy commissioner issued separate orders to arrest them for 90 days.

Complaints regarding harassment, threat and carrying of weapons were also received from the citizens against them.

A statement issued by a spokesman for the police said under the directives of the deputy commissioner, the police took action against the seven people under 3 MPO.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2021