Christians protest occupation of graveyard land
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GUJAR KHAN: Members of the Christian community on Monday staged a demonstration against occupation of graveyard area allegedly by land mafia.
Babu Shafiq Gill, the local in charge of the Church of Pakistan, told newsmen that the land located on Railway Road had been allocated to his community by the Britishers.
He claimed that according to the land revenue department’s record, the area belonged to the federal government and was in the possession of the Church of Pakistan.
He alleged that people enjoying clout with the ruling party were behind this unlawful exercise.
The newsmen also apprised the commissioner Rawalpindi division of the construction in the graveyard of the Christian but to no avail.
The assistant commissioner Gujar Khan Quratul Ain did not respond to various calls and messages left on her cellphone.
An official of the revenue department, on the condition of anonymity, said no land of the graveyard or worship place could be sold, transferred to any body or used for any other purpose.
Representatives of the Christian community have urged upon the prime minister and chief minister to intervene in the matter.
Published in Dawn, September 16th , 2014
