KOHAT: The district administration demolished dozens of houses constructed on 148 kanals of state

land along the irrigation channels during an anti-encroachment operation in Gandiali Payan and Bala areas here on Sunday.

Assistant commissioner Talha Zubair accompanied by the irrigation department officials and policemen led the operation, which continued for six hours, according to a statement.

The occupants of the state land had been given prior warnings to vacate it voluntarily, but they did not pay heed, forcing the administration to take the action.

The land worth millions of rupees located close to the Gandiali Dam and canals was vacated.

An elder Rahib Noor told Dawn on telephone that the occupants of the state land were also involved in selling the plots at lucrative prices.

He pointed out that tribesmen from Darra Adamkhel tribal subdivision had also constructed houses on the state land illegally.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2021