THATTA, June 1: Drive for removal of encroachments from centuries-old graveyard in front of Makli Eidgah on Friday proved an eyewash.

The campaign is led by Assistant Mukhtiarkar of Thatta, Syed Mir Muhammad alias Meeral Shah.

With a broken tractor borrowed from the Taluka Municipal Administration and a few workers having spades and backed bypolice personnel, the revenue official reached at the site and ordered the villagers of Shaikh community who had erected huts along with graveyard to leave the area within 24 hours. He himself left the site 15 minutes after the operation began.

Mr Shah told reporters over phone that his team had removed a few of the encroachments raised within the graveyard area and warned others to remove their structures within next 24 hours. He said that a number of encroachments had been raised by people belonging to the ruling party.

The DC, he added, would be apprised about the situation on Monday.

It may be mentioned here that members of the land mafia had erected concrete foundations within the historical graveyard. The encroachers have dismantled graves and occupied the land.

Sindh Minister Sadiq Ali Memon said his party was completely against encroachments.

He said he had asked the DC and the officials concerned to clear the site and take action against members of land mafia.