GILGIT, March 2: The Diamer district administration has banned construction of any kind in the area to be used for constructing the Diamer-Bhasha Dam.

Administration officials said the deputy commissioner Diamer has issued directives to avoid construction of any kind in the area specified for Diamer-Bhasha Dam.

The officials said the directives came following a tussle over possession of land between native residents of Chilas town and the settlers.

The officials a decades-old feud ran between native or old residents of the Diamer district and settlers over barren land and the matter was in the court of law.

The officials said the settlers tried to occupy the barren land in Chilas town the other day which was resisted by the native residents. Police had to intervene into the matter to avoid any untoward incident.

The assistant commissioner’s directives said strict action would be taken against those who would violate the orders of the district administration which are issued for the maintenance of public order.

Meanwhile, a local reporter of Chilas town was tortured by local people of Chilas while covering the event. He was taken to hospital. Journalists condemned the attack and demanded of the government to take action against his attackers.

TOURISM FAIR: A delegation comprising top officials as well as ministers of Gilgit-Baltistan is leaving for Berlin, Germany on Tuesday to attend the world’s biggest tourism fair.

The purpose of the visit is to attract foreign tourism to the region which is enjoying immense potential in the sector.