ISLAMABAD, Oct 1: Chairperson Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Benazir Bhutto has condemned the demolition of houses in Rashi Ghat, Hyderabad and demanded an end to uprooting the local people, says a statement issued here on Sunday.

The police at the instance of local government have been expelling people from the area to demolish the houses to favour land mafia group, it said.

Police also used force against women and children. The residents of Rashi Ghat area resisted the move and held demonstration outside the press club to protest against demolition of houses resulting in the registration of cases against dozens of protesters. The affected people have also accused the police of ransacking their houses and maltreating their women and children.

The former prime minister condemned the incident and said the action of the local administration was illegal, as the courts had stayed the ejection of the residents of Nusrat colony. She deplored the actions of the local administration against the Sindhi people and demanded an end to the illegality.

Ms Bhutto said the PPP would continue to raise its voice in support of the poor and shelterless people and would not let the land mafia occupy their abodes.