ISLAMABAD: The capital police have arrested eight more people in connection with alleged land grabbing activities.

The police said the arrests were made by Bhara Kahu, Sihala, Tarnol, and Loi Bher police in response to complaints lodged by residents.Deputy Inspector General of Police (operations) Afzaal Ahmed Kousar said action was being taken against those spreading terror in society.

He said such people do not deserve any leniency as they destroy peace and illegally occupy others’ land. He said immediate action is being taken on the complaints of occupation of property and the lands are being retrieved from illegal possession.

He said the crackdown continued across the district simultaneously.

Meanwhile, a standard operating procedure (SOP) was also issued from the office of the assistant inspector general of police (operations) regarding action against the land mafia.

The reason behind making the SOP was to protect the residents and their lands from activities of land mafia.Information regarding any activity to grab land, under-construction buildings and buildings will be given to Rescue 15 which has trained staff to deal with such issues.

The complaint lodged at a police station should be forwarded to the subdivisional police officer (SDPO) concerned without any delay, it said, adding the SDOP would immediately issue instructions.

After getting the information, staff at Rescue 15 will inform the concerned SDPO and SHO through wireless and phone messages, it said, adding the SDPO and SHO along with personnel should reach the spot.

Besides, an anti-land grabbing unit at Rescue-15 should also reach the spot and act under the directives of the SDPO.

The SDPO should conduct an initial inquiry on the spot and order legal action in view of the findings.

The SDPO should also arrest all persons armed with weapons from the spot and confiscate their weapons.Rescue 15 maintains record of all calls regarding land grabbing activity, it said, adding the SDPO will make weekly, fortnight, monthly and yearly reports and submit them to the superintendent of police concerned.

The report should also be submitted to the senior superintendent of police office and would forwarded to the deputy inspector general of police and the inspector general of police.

All the cases of dispute over lands/buildings and their ownership should also be referred to a reconciliation committee after consulting the complainant and the accused. On their refusal, the complaint should be referred to the revenue department or civil courts.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2021