TIMERGARA, April 2: The Utmankhel tribesmen of Shatai Darra on Tuesday demanded of the Lower Dir administration to immediately stop demarcation of a disputed piece of land as the case was pending in the Darul Qaza Swat.

Speaking at a news conference at Shatai Timergara, elders of the Utmankhel tribe alleged the district administration had been backing Usakhel landlords of Ghara in the land ownership dispute between Utmankhel (tenants) and Usakhel (landlords).

Elders Haji Naseeb Gul, Haji Sher Zamin, Ikramullah, Haji Abdul Haleem, Mohammad Amin, Alam Zeb and others were present on the occasion.

The said the land ownership dispute had been in courts since 1972 when the then federal land commission headed by Sheikh Rasheed declared them (Utmankhel) as owners of the land at Shatai Darra. They said later the Peshawar High Court and the Supreme Court also decided the case in their favour.

They complained that the Lower Dir administration had been playing in the hands of landlords.

The Utmankhel elders said that they had filed a writ petition in Darul Qaza Swat against demarcation of the disputed land that would hear the case on April 5. They said the situation could get out of control if the administration did not stop the process of demarcation.

Meanwhile, the Utmankhel tribesmen also held a protest demonstration and chanted slogans against the local administration. They warned to bring people, including women and children, on roads if their demand was not met.

On the other hand, the district administration started demarcation of the disputed land of Shatai Dara on Tuesday. On this occasion strict security measures were taken to avoid any untoward incident.

The deputy commissioner Zubair Khan said demarcation of the disputed land was being carried out in the light of the Supreme Court’s directives.

Both the Utmankhel and Usakhel tribes have been claiming that the courts had decided the case in their favour.

PML-N MEETING: Malik Khaliq Zada of Balambat on Tuesday announced to join the Pakistan Muslim League-N along with his family and friends.

He made the announcement during a party meeting held at Balambat where Saqib, Shakir and Bilal of the PSF also announced to join the PML-N.