By Fazal Khaliq
SWAT: The local elders in Malam Jabba on Wednesday levelled accusations against the Samson company, alleging land grabbing and harassment of the local residents.
These views were expressed by the local elders of Mulam Jabba while addressing a press conference in Mulam Jabba.
Addressing the press conference on the occasion, former Nazim Shairestan, Syed Saddam Hussain, Liaquat Ali, Mian Jan, Sharif Khan, Muhammad Ali, Sultan Rom and others said that they were hoping for the development and promotion of tourism from the Samson Group and PC hotel.
“However, tourism has deteriorated due to arbitrary actions. The company hires individuals from outside who openly threaten the local population. Nevertheless, we will not permit our lands to be seized,” they said.
They claimed that the company deceived them by taking away their land falsely promising job opportunities for the local residents. They mentioned that even the cabins owned by local individuals were not exempt from this.
“Presently, the company is attempting to acquire our property in Green Valley, and there is a failure to adhere to the agreement between Samson Group of Companies and the local residents,” they said, adding that the locals had sold 158 kanals of land to the company. Still, it was currently occupying 701 kanals of land.
They claimed that the company exceeded all bounds recently when certain officials and workers opened fire on the people, aiming to instil fear and seize the land. “However, we are determined not to allow this to happen under any circumstances. Green Valley is our exclusive property, and we will not permit any encroachment upon it,” they warned.
They said that they appealed to the district administration and the provincial government to give justice to the people of Malam Jabba and take legal action against those who opened fire on the locals.
They warned that if their rightful demands remained unaddressed, they would take to the streets in complete protest and were prepared to make any sacrifice for their rights.
They emphasized that the district administration would bear full responsibility in the event of any unfortunate incident.
