PESHAWAR, Oct 15: Following the directives of the Peshawar High Court the administration of Town-I on Saturday removed several illegal structures, including 20 mud shops built on two graveyard lands. Notices were also issued to those who have constructed houses on a portion of the Akhun Baba graveyard to demolish the structures on their own or face action.

During the drive seven encroachers were also arrested for offering resistance and were sent behind bars.

District Coordination Officer Peshawar Seraj Ahmed told Dawn that many a people had constructed mud houses on the graveyard land and were trying to strengthen their grip in the area but the administration was determined to remove all the encroachments. He said Building Control Agency had issued notices to the people to remove the houses by themselves or face the demolition.

“We have also demolished six houses at Rehman Baba Graveyard and recovered about six canal land from the encroachers,” he said.

The administration, claimed Mr Ahmed, was already active against the encroachers but after an order of the high court the process was further accelerated. He said he himself was supervising the drive as influential people were involved in the occupation of the land.

The DCO said a case against the illegal occupants of graveyard was also pending in the Peshawar High Court. “I had convened a meeting wherein it was decided to identify the demarcations and accomplish the task at all costs,” he added.

Meanwhile, action was also taken against encroachers near Amir Nawaz Shaheed Chowk in Akhun Baba graveyard area.

In another action, a taxi stand established on the land measuring one kanal along with boundary wall of the graveyard was removed.

Peshawar DCO Seraj Ahmed said police had been directed to remain active in the area so that the people would not reoccupy the land.