KARACHI, Feb 2: Speakers at a demonstration on Friday condemning the land mafia for encroaching on a graveyard’s land in Baldia Town in connivance with some officials of the city government demanded stern action against all those involved in such illegal activities.

The demonstration was held in front of the Karachi Press Club by various social welfare and non-governmental organisations of different villages affected by the encroachment.

They said that as the nearby areas had developed and land value had increased manifold, the land-grabbers had started their illegal activities.

They said that it was more than a 100-years-old graveyard and Sindhi and Baloch villagers of Mawachh Goth, Hassan Goth, Sajjan Goth, Kachhela Goth, Dawood Goth, Yusuf Goth, and other villages in the vicinity were buried in this graveyard. They claimed that it had historical value also as at least two people, who had accompanied Mohammad bin Qasim were also buried here and around these graves the graveyard was later developed.

The speakers – Habibullah Khaskheli (Councillor of UC 3 of Baldia Town), Mohammad Yaqoob and others -- said that this graveyard, located behind Murshid Hospital, was also notified in the Revenue Board records dated 1912.

According to the speakers, they had already approached the Board of Revenue on the issue and demanded that a survey be conducted jointly by the officials of the revenue department and City Surveyor for demarcation, which would also prove their claims on the graveyard.

They said that unrest was spreading among the villagers and if the government did not take action to stop this land-grabbing exercise, the villagers would launch a protest movement and resist the land mafia.

The demonstrators were carrying banners with their demands inscribed on them and they were also chanting slogans in support of their demands.

Representatives of Khaskheli Social Forum, All Baloch Social Welfare of Sajjan Goth, Wachhani Welfare Association, Pakistan Khaskheli Ittehad, Anjuman Falah-o-Bahbud Sajjan Goth, Mowachh Young Welfare Association, Young Mianwali Falahi Association, Momin Jamat Maula Maddad Lyari, Anjuman Hamdardan-i-Balochan, Muslim Khaskheli Jamat, Sindh Samaji Falah Bahbood Sajjan Goth, Kachhi Muslim Singhar Jamat, Rahimia Welfare Association, Pak Welfare Association, Noorshah Welfare Committee, Action Committee Mowachh Goth, Anjuman Ittehadia Mowachh Goth and other took part in the demonstration.