HYDERABAD, Nov 30: The Hyderabad District Council on Tuesday sought a report from the DCO on demolition of houses in Mir Fateh Colony on the ground that it had been done in haste and without consulting the district nazim.

The DCO was asked to submit the report in the council after discussing the matter with the district nazim. The issue of removal of encroachments in the colony on an order of the Sindh High Court was raised on a point of order by Dr Ayaz Arain.

Dr Arain held the DCO responsible for the unrest in the colony and accused him of destroying the city and rendering residents homeless. He regretted that even the council had not been informed about the anti-encroachment drive.

Ali Nawaz Kutrio, Khaliq Chandio, Ghulam Hussain Magsi and other members called for holding an inquiry into the matter. Mr Kutrio said the area fell in his union council but he was not informed about the campaign.

He said residents of Sehrish Nagar where displaced families were to be settled were already protesting against shifting of people of Mir Fateh Colony there. Mr Chandio demanded formation of a three-member committee to probe into the matter and ask the EDO concerned to inform the council how much area had been illegally occupied by people.

Mr Magsi alleged that officials concerned had not implemented the court order regarding removal of encroachments in letter and spirit but they had launched the campaign to mint money.

Urging the council to adopt a cautious approach, Sher Mohammad Pirzada said encroachers should not be supported without ascertaining facts and added that they should, however, be provided with an alternative accommodation and compensation. He recalled that he himself had pinpointed such encroachments because the area touched his union council.

Syed Ghulam Raza Shah called upon the convener of the council to form a fact-finding committee comprising three taluka nazims and not to rely on bureaucrats because they would not disclose actual facts. He said the committee members should visit the area and record statements of affected people.

Convener Nawab Rashid Ali Khan in his ruling said the district nazim should seek a report from the DCO to be submitted in the council. He said the report should contain measures being adopted by the district government for resettlement of displaced residents.

The district council also adopted a resolution tabled by Firdous Abro, felicitating Asif Ali Zardari on his release on bail. The council also asked the district government to ensure implementation of laws relating to sale and manufacture of narcotics in the city and impose a ban on liquor dens.