Hyderabad: Wakf activists welcome demand for CBI probe

Nampally: Describing MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi's demand for CBI probe into the TS Wakf Board activities as nothing less than a political rhetoric, the Wakf activists have urged the Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao to take his suggestion seriously, if he stands by his word of protecting Wakf lands.

Speaking to The Hans India, Association of Save Waqf Properties general secretary Syed Ifteqar Hussaini held that at least now the Chief Minister seriously consider protecting the Wakf lands and consider the idea of Akbaruddin seriously, as thousands of acres of Wakf property has been encroached upon after formation of Telangana. "Had the KCR kept his promise of empowering Wakf Board with judicial powers precious lands would have not fallen into the hands of encroachers. Even the 'joint survey' by various departments of Wakf lands which was initiated a few years back never materialized. This was the high time that some concrete measures be adopted to save lands, even from those who continue to mislead the people with their rhetoric in the Assembly," he said, while referring to Akbaruddin.

Alleging that Wakf Board had always remained under the tight control of MIM, the activist held that if the party Chief, Asaduddin Owaisi who was one of the board members and at four others (representing the party) in the panel were serious, the Wakf lands would not have fell in the hands of land sharks, particularly after formation of Telangana. "While the Board continues to lose prime properties across the State, the record section of the Wakf remains sealed. The irony is that the issues of concern are never raised in Assembly, but people are being fed with rhetoric. The kin of local MLA, Danam Nagender are directly involved in encroachment of more than Rs 100 cr worth property at Mamidipally despite the matter is in the court, which is never questioned" he added.

Wakf Properties Protection Cell, president, Nayeemullah Shareef said that State Wakf Board continues to receive Rs 30 lakhs per year from Central Wakf Council for a team of officials including Surveyors, Law officer and computer operators etc. "None the 6 posts are filled and not even auditing is being done to know where these funds were being spent on," he noted.

All India Sunni Ulama Board's president Syed Hamed Hussain Shuttari expressed worry over the rapidity at which Wakf lands were being encroached upon following formation of Telangana. "M M Pahadi, Maula Ali, Trimulgherry to name a few have slipped away from the hands of the Wakf Board, even as the Board's chairman pays lip service after visiting some of the prime properties," he added.