RAWALPINDI, Dec 24: The City District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR) imposed section 144 on land records of Union Council Kotha Kalan, on Monday, after it was learnt that the records were tampered with, to allegedly hide encroachment of 232.1 kanals of state land.

Under section 144, no one is allowed to make any changes to the land records. It is an official ‘freeze’ which would be lifted once the inquiries are completed.

District Coordination Officer (DCO), Saqib Zafar, constituted a team to make the inquiries, following complaints of encroachment on the banks of River Soan, near the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench building, on December 4, 2012.

The team led by Additional District Collector (Revenue), Talat Mehmood Gondal, finalised and presented its report to the DCO, Saqib Zafar, on Monday evening, who in turn immediately directed that no changes should be made to the land records of Khasra no. 2496 and Khasra no. 2676. Khasra denotes a particular geographical location.

In the report, Mr Talat after comparing the revenue records of the last four years with the records of the 1980s, reached the conclusion that the land records of the past two areas, comprising Khasra no. 2496 and Khasra no. 2676, were tampered.

He recommended taking action against the encroachers.

When contacted, DCO Saqib Zafar affirmed that 232.1 kanals of state land on the banks of Soan River had been illegally taken by some individuals, who built houses and established farms in the encroached area.

He further said that the demarcation of the land had been completed.

CDGR would immediately take action against the encroachers and remove them at any cost, in order to retrieve the illegally occupied state land, assured the DCO.

Due to the encroachment, the width of the river had been reduced which would create problems in the river, in case of a flood. Problems were faced during the last monsoon rains as well, Mr Saqib said.

When asked about the delay in action, the DCO explained that it was not too late as the process of demarcation was lengthy.

He had no answer, however, as to why there was a delay in conducting a survey of the area.

To a question about what actions, if any, would be taken against the officials found involved in tampering, the DCO informed that a committee had been appointed to find out the accused and strict action would be taken against the ones found guilty.