MANSEHRA, Dec 1: Residents of Mansehra's five union councils on Thursday threatened to resist the proposed relocation of the military stables from Abbottabad to historic town of Baffa in their district, saying the move is to render farmers out of work.

During a jirga of the landowners and elders of Baffa, Shinkiary, Inyatabad, Tarangree Sabir Shah and Tanda union councils, MNA Laiq Mohammad Khan said the district revenue office had begun acquiring agricultural land in the area for the army's stables to be relocated from Abbottabad.

“We won't let this happen. Acquisition of land for stables will leave thousands of our farmers out of work and that is unacceptable to us,” he said.

The MNA also said he would take up the matter relating to the existence of thousands of families with the prime minister for appropriate measures.

Former nazim of Baffa union council Alamzeb Khan and other speakers said the land being acquired for building stables was meant for agricultural one and therefore, it couldn't be used for other purposes.

He said tobacco of high quality was grown on the said land and to set up stables on it was tantamount to its spoilage.

Later, the jirga decided to hold a series of protests against the stable idea and raise voice against it all available forums until it was withdrawn.

When contacted by Dawn, Ameer Akbar Khan, district officer revenue Mansehra, said he had received an official letter from the army seeking acquisition of 2,200 kanals of land in Baffa. He said locals had apprised him of their reservations about the stable establishment on the said land.

“There is no doubt that the land is agricultural land. I will convey the people's qualms to the district coordination officer for discussion with the relevant military officials,” he said.