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TALOQAN (SW): Malik Ahmad Tatar, a former police commander has been accused of grabbing more than 380 acres of land in Yangi Qala district of Takhar province.
An official letter registered at the provincial Justice Directorate notes that the 380 acres of land donated by Mir Wali Jan in the former King Zahir Shah’s reign to the municipality of Yangi Qala has been given for lease every year, the proceeds of which are always given to the government, but this year Abdul Shokor has grabbed the land, and has used the proceeds for personal gains.
Najibullah Farkhari, the police chief of Yangi Qala district, has claimed that there are documents indicating hundreds of acres of land grabbed by Abdul Shokor, a loyalist to Malik Ahmad Tatar. “Tatar has constructed township on these plots of land”, informed Farkhari.
Sanatullah Timor, provincial governor’s spokesman, told Salam Watandar that Malik Ahmad Tatar is an outlawed individual who has been a drug trafficker and land grabber as well. “We have informed the Kabul government regarding his access to military equipment and armed men. It is the duty of Ministry of Interior to decide on the matter”, added Timor.
Najib Danish, the spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, said the Ministry is aware of the land grabbing in Yangi Qala district of Takhar. He added details about the abuse should be asked from the provincial police.
Previously, an official letter dispatched by the provincial authorities to the Ministry of Interior highlighted the criminal activities of Malik Ahmad Tatar. His infamous acts of land grabbing, rapes, murder, and drug trafficking have been brought to the attention of the Ministry of Interior.
Nazarullah, the district mayor, told Salam Watandar that the proceeds of lands grabbed by Malik Ahmad Tatar’s loyalists amount to more than 3 million afghanis.
But, Malik Ahmad Tatar, rejecting the land grabbing allegations said the allegations are a conspiracy against his person. He blamed the governor of Takhar and district police chief for his ‘defamation’. He also urged the government to appoint a committee for investigating the land grabbing matter.
Provincial police, however, have claimed that Malik Ahmad Tatar has obstructed police efforts to restore lands back to the municipality. Reports indicate that more than 2 million acres of government lands have been grabbed by outlaws in 18 provinces of the country.
ENDS
