Political big shots are taking over Wakf lands

HYDERABAD: The state Wakf Board has failed to curb encroachments on its own lands in the state, particularly in and around Hyderabad, and many of them have been occupied by political heavyweights, president of Deccan Wakf Properties Protection Osmam Bin Mohammed Al-hajri alleged on Saturday.Addressing a press conference here, he gave the specific example of a 961 square yards of land (survey No: 20-4-231) which has on it the Maqbara Khan Bahadur at Motigally in the Old City. The land, he said, belongs to Wakf Board but was grabbed by Shah Faisal Abdullah Balala,  brother of MIM MLA from Malakpet Ahmed Bin Abdullah Balala.Though the Wakf Board’s land was allegedly occupied by Balala’s brother, the Board has not taken any action against him, he said, adding that the Wakf Tribunal has all details that proves that the land has belonged to the Wakf Board since 1983.Al-Hajri further alleged that the Balala brothers have already deputed workers to the spot to demolish the old tombs on the land. “They are planning to construct some commercial complexes. The state Wakf Board should ensure that the land is returned and action is taken against Balala brothers immediately,” he said. He also appealed to the Muslim community to come forward and stop encroachments of the Wakf Board’s lands.