SHANGLA: The forest department has vacated its land from illegal occupiers in Basi area of Alpuri.

This was claimed by divisional forest officer, Shangla, Adnan Ali while talking to reporters here on Monday. He said the raid was conducted jointly by the district administration and forest department officials led by assistant commissioner, Alpuri, Fida-ul-Karim.

Mr Ali said about 44 cases had been registered against the land grabbers across the district during the special drive initiated by the administration to reclaim the state land from the grabbers.

He said about eight kanals of land had so far been retrieved.

The forest officer said in the next phase operation would be launched throughout the district against those who had occupied state land on one pretext or the other. The DFO urged the people to voluntarily vacate the forest land otherwise they would be dealt with according to the law.

Meanwhile, the Alpuri tehsil administration officials removed illegal encroachments in Matta Aghwan area.

The action was taken by assistant commissioner Fida-ul-Karim on the directives of deputy commissioner.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2019