Remove encroachments at Toli Masjid: Activists

Karwan: While questioning the way TS Wakf Board is functioning, particularly after the recent appointment of the new Wakf CEO, the Wakf activists have directly blamed the lacklustre attitude of the official machinery for the on-going 'Illegal constructions' at Toli Masjid. Some also held a dharna at Haj House building on Saturday.

In a complaint lodged with the local police station, the CEO at Wakf Board, the Commissioner of Police and the Archaeological Department, after the police picket attached to the historic mosque of Quli Qutb Shah was withdrawn, the activists drew direct link to the appointment of the new CEO.

Mohammed Abdul Lateef and Miraj Ali Khan, who submitted the complaints to different departments, referred to the Supreme Court judgement (WA No.1382 of 1999) that prohibited any kind of construction within the boundary walls of ancient mosque in their complaint and sought immediate action.

"Some land sharks grabbed the Toli Masjid land in illegal ways and started the illegal construction. The land grabber and ex-president of Mosque's managing committee are taking advantage and breaking the law and performing illegal construction," they pointed out.

Osman Bin Mohammed Al-Hajri, the president of Deccan Wakf Properties Protection Society, demanded that the on-going activity should be stopped immediately. "There is clear nexus between the officials and the land grabbers, as policemen are not seen when the work is not going on," he alleged.

The activist who was the MLA candidate from Karwan from Congress in the recently held Assembly elections alleged that attempts were being made to foist the false cases against the activists taking on the land sharks.

After representing the matter with the Chairman of TS Wakf Board Md Saleem, he spoke to media and said that similar to the situation in 2006, when activists started protesting against the encroachments of Wakf lands at Toli Masjid, attempts were being made to foist false cases against him. "Wakf Board is winking at the activities of Mosque committee whose term was completed in November. Recently, one property was sold out for Rs 25 lakhs, another is being sold away for Rs 80 lakhs and Board is mum," he wondered.

Congress leader from Woman's Wing Shiraz Khan blamed the local public representatives for the continuation of Wakf land encroachments at the historic mosque. "Even though the Chairman has assured to initiate action after thorough enquiry and assured to take criminal action, we shall intensify the protest in the coming days if those at the helm fail to walk the talk. We condemn the baseless allegations being leveled against the Wakf activists," she said.