960405

Construction of

shopping plaza

on minorities

land re-starts

KOTRI: The construction work of a shopping-cum-residential plaza - Ali Height - near Marvi Chowk continued on Thursday which, according to the minorities, was their trust property. The construction work which was being done by an influential person Ghulam Mohammad Mallah had been stopped two months back after the interference of local administration as the Pakistan Minorities Action Committee (PMAC) had protested and threatened a country-wide protest if the on-going illegal construction works was not stopped.

The disputed land owner in turn filed a case in the court of the senior civil judge, Kotri to get an interim injunction against SDM Kotri, Shafiq Ahmed Mahesar and Chairman PMAC, Dadu District Dr. J. Yousuf Bhatti and other members Jawaid, Shano and Mangal Das for interfering in his work on the land.

In his appeal he also mentioned that he had purchased the land from a Christian lady, Angeela, and his brother William and transaction had done by the mutual understanding and willing of both the parties.

The PMAC Chairman, Dr. J. Yusuf Bhatti and other members including Jawaid Shano and Mangal Das, leading a rally of thousands of minorities, termed this transaction as defraudulent and according to them, no one was authorised to sold out their trust property as mentioned in the provision.

The PMAC organisers also prearing to file a case against Ali Raza Mallah in the court of senior civil judge Kotri, for obtaining status quo on the construction work.

The PMAC organisers on Thursday criticised local administration over their apathy on this sensitive religious issue and alleged that deputy commissioner Dadu and SDM Kotri who earlier opposed this construction, were now supporting the illegal land owners which clearly showed that they have been satisfied by the land owners.

Meanwhile, the PMAC chairman and member PPP Kotri City and others issued a press statement in which they have given an ultimatum to the government of Sindh that if the on-going construction work over their ancient cemetry was not stopped within 24 hours, they would take to the streets.

They also warned that the situation could be similar to that of Jawaid Masih and Razia Bibi incidents if this illegal act was not stopped. They said that sentiments of the minorities have flared up and incitement have created among them which could create law and order situation.-PPI