Encroachment in Thatta

 To be checked

Amarta Uqaili

2k18/Mc/23

 Writing on social issue - 2nd semester Nov 2020

          Encroachment in Thatta

Encroachment is illegal construction which does not belong to any owner of property legally beyond its limit or in other language we can say property enter by gradual steps or by stealth into possesses or right of another.

The word encroachment is obstructing structure from encroach and ment, it is equivalent old French compound. Encroachment issue has now became top most issue in the world, many countries, states are facing this issue and trying their best to solve this problem as soon as possible. This issue is from beginning of civic life, encroachment has been divided in various types. Minor encroachment, major encroachment and structural encroachment are its types.

 Minor encroachment is not much noticeable and does not cause much disturbance, whereas major encroachment cause red flag and disturb society people, and structural encroachment. Further types of encroachment are residential encroachment, commercial encroachments and partially exempt organizations.

Thatta is one of those city which is facing this serious issue and it is disturbing infrastructure of beautiful city. Some resident of thatta illegally take approval for their construction. Resident prefer encroachment for their personal need or benefit. According to dawn news report, “6 gang mafia in the garb of political activist is active in encroaching upon valuable government plots in twin city of Thatta and Makli and parallel to both sides of national highway, besides occupying forest compartment.

Capital of three successive dynasties and then ruled by Mughals emperors of Delhi, thatta was constantly established from 14^th to 18^th century, remains city of necropolis provide a unique view of civilization of Sindh.

Encroachment intensity can be understand simply by watching narrow streets, roads and because of this public and traffic cannot smoothly ply on roads and streets. 60 to 70 percent of area is facing this trouble.

Thatta is known as most beautiful city but encroachment has damaged its beautification, most of residents are ignoring this issue because somehow they are reason behind this issue. Town officers, municipal community, local government, anti-encroachment and police department are stakeholders and working for problem.

Due to encroachment the land-grabbers have caused irreparable damage to the old graves built with carved stone with concrete foundations and number of people of the area and members of civil society told this correspondent that “influential office-bearers of the ruling party are behind the land encroachment”.

Sometimes dealing with this issue can be tough for house owners but there are few ways to control this issue. There are some ways by which house owner can face or solve encroachment issue, mostly encroachment problem can be legally solved and personally house owner cannot solve this issue, but now a days resident are using some common methods to resolve encroachment issue, here are some methods by which are mostly used in our society the 1^st one is have professional land survey before purchasing any land or before starting construction work, this step is first step toward assessing if there is any potential boundary or in simple words encroachment issue, sometime in some cases what one homeowner feel is an encroachment issue may actually not one, so it’s always better to fine issue before going further. The 2^nd method is talk things out and offer concession, we always listen communication can solve every problem, likewise talking things out and addressing the issue can be best way to solve issue, if land survey says there is encroachment in field than this 2^nd method will be helpful, the last one seek mediation or neutral third party, which means if suppose opposite party don’t want to go court than neutral person or party will be involved in this problem and will solve issue accordingly.

    Seeing this situation of historical city is bit tough but anti encroachment department, police, government and different organization are trying their best to solve this problem as soon as possible. Likewise action was taken at Makli Thatta by removing illegal encroachment over football ground at Qadamgah Moula Ali (a.s) at 14^th November 2018. After that on same year same month DC of Thatta Muhammad Nawaz Sohoo visited various sites of government sites of government plots/lands illegally encroached at Gharo and Dabeji, he issued strict directions for removal of illegal encroachment over governments property according to our law, he also visited Assistant Commissioner’s office and Mukhtiarkar office Mirpur Sakiro at Gharo district Thatta he meet with public and resolved their issue at 20^th November 2018.

According to Dawn’s report which was published in 10^th August 2010 land mafias in the garb of political activist is active in encroaching upon valuable of states plots/land in twin town Thatta and Makli and parallel to the both sides of national highway, besides occupying forest compartments, in their further report they state a group of activists, mostly favorites of the ruling party law makers in Thatta, is involved in erecting boundary walls on the state property under the district administration. The other report was published in 1^st June 2012 that is in May 31 four member team of archaeology department headed by its director Qasim Ali he inspected on Thursday an area in five century old eidgah and graveyard in Makli which had been encroached upon by land gabbers.

Residents views about  this issue was  the district administration have  failed to remove encroachments from different cities’ areas  and these blockages were causing huge traffic jams, both during the day and at night. Long queues of vehicles could be seen stuck in traffic in different areas of the city, including bus stop, shahi bazar, Shahjahan masjid road and other areas.
Shoppers faced immense difficulties due to large scale of encroachment in markets and urged authorities to take notice of the situation.

Department of local government and rural development act was introduced in 23^rd June 1977 where there was punishments of encroachment. The punishment was for Issues related to property titles, Land grabbing and fraudulent behaviour, Encroachment isn’t just illegal occupation and Encroachment on government land.

This issue can solve by government by taking actions and resident can solve issue by following rules, laws.

  Practical work carried under supervision of Sir Sohail Sangi 

Media & Communication Studies, University of Sindh