MUZAFFARGARH: Several homes of poor residents were demolished by a group of people in the Khanpur Baga Sher area, displacing families and stealing materials to pave the way for a residential colony.

The Saddar police on being alerted intervened and arrested two suspects and seized heavy machinery used in the demolition operation.

A case was registered on the complaint of Shaista Faisal, a widow of a martyred soldier.

The residents alleged the homes of Shaista Faisal, Farida Bibi, Abdul Hameed, Allah Ditta, Ibrahim, Ghulam Shabbir and Ghulam Muhammad were demolished using heavy machinery. The debris of their houses was also stolen by the perpetrators.

DSP City Tahir Ijaz led the operation to stop the activity, arriving at the scene with a heavy police contingent.

The police arrested two suspects and confiscated machinery used in the demolition.

A case was registered against 10 members of the group, including Altaf, Ahmed, Mohsin, Dilawar, Abdullah, Mashooq, Muhammad Aslam, Fida Hussain, Abid Hussain, and Asghar, under sections 379, 427, 447, 511, 148, and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

According to the police, the suspects were carrying out large-scale demolitions without authorisation from the revenue department to clear the land for a residential colony.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2024