SWABI, Oct 9: A draw held by the Swabi Development Authority for 100 plots of 10-marla each was cancelled just five hours after it was carried out on Tuesday, following a threat by some unsuccessful applicants to take the matter to court.

Swabi district nazim Shahram Khan, the chairman of the governing body of the Shahmansoor Township, made the announcement about the cancellation of the draw.

After the draw, some unsuccessful applicants had started an impromptu protest, saying the plots had been allotted only to some influential people besides officers of the local government.They immediately formed an action committee and said they would get the draw revoked from the court, claiming the people had been deceived by the local government.

A total of 13,900 forms were bought by the people and 11,528 persons applied for the plots in the township in May.

The SDA undertook the development of 300 acres of land in Shahmansoor, some 7kms from Swabi city, and created 3,200 residential plots of different sizes. Most of the plots, except the 10-marla ones, were purchased by the people.

For the 10-marla plots, each applicant bought the application form for Rs1500. After complaints by the people, the price of the form was brought down to Rs1000. Each applicant deposited Rs40,000 with the form.

On Tuesday, the people gathered in a college in Panjpir to witness the whole process. But when the names of successful applicants were announced, most of the people rejected the draw and claimed that it had been rigged.