PESHAWAR: An elderly villager from Swat district has alleged that the family of former Dir state’s ruler has forcibly occupied his property in Ramora area of Lower Dir district using local police.

Mohammad Ismail of Shamozi village demanded the intervention of the government and judiciary for the recovery of land.

He told reporters at the Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday that he had purchased a piece of land measuring over 17 kanals in Ramora village on Aug 10,1989, from Shah Khisro Khan, the son of former Dir Nawab Shah Jahan.

The villager claimed he possessed all land documents, including registry, but even then Dilshad Begum, the daughter of Shah Khisro, grabbed his land through her men with the support of the local administration and police.

He claimed he had secured a stay order against the use of his land for cultivation of crops or constructing of buildings but the alleged land grabber violated the court’s order by putting up structures there.

The villager said he had reported the matter to the deputy commissioner and relevant police officials, but to no avail.

He asked the government and Peshawar High Court to step in and ensure dispensation of justice to him.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2017