Hyderabad: Patancheru residents call on TSWB chairman

Nampally: Alleging encroachment of 132 acres and centuries old Qutubshahi mosque in Patancheru, a delegation of locals approached the TS Wakf Board chairman, Md Saleem. They demanded immediate action against the encroachers who enjoy political clout and in recent days, they started raising boundary walls encompassing the disputed land.

Later speaking to media persons, one of the representatives MJ Ahmed from Patancheru, said that several attempts were made to alert local Wakf Inspector over the matter, but on the contrary, the official has claimed that the locals didn't have relevant documents to prove it as a Wakf property. "It has been almost two years since we brought to the notice of the Wakf inspector, but he is undermining the grave situation even though stakes are high. We have documents like House Committee Report of 1997, where the land under question is referred to as Wakf property along with the Qutbshahi-era mosque. It is clearly mentioned as survey number 152 with more than 130 acres, but the land which was used for agriculture by a leader and his men is slowly being encroached upon by raising boundaries," he added.

Ahmed also informed the chairman that when they tried to visit the mosque, the 'illegal occupant' had threatened them on charges of 'trespassing' a private land. In the coming days, the team would also meet local MLA over the matter. "There are several documents to prove it as a Wakf land, including the papers of 1952. We hope that the Wakf Board would initiate action before it's too late," he added. Meanwhile, the Wakf Board chairman, Saleem who carefully listened to the issue directed the local officials to reach to the spot and report him about the status.