14,500 acres of usurped state land reclaimed in Kunduz so far

KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Usurped state land measuring 14,500 acres has been reclaimed so far since the establishment of the commission concerned to prevent land grabbing in northern Kunduz province, an official said on Sunday.

Maulvi Amanullah Hassan, director of agriculture department, said that 14,500 acres of land had been usurped by powerful individuals, officials of previous government and common people. However, the land was wrested back by the commission.

He said most of the usurped land was located in Kunduz city and the rest in districts.

“In Kunduz city and districts, 14,500 acres of land was reclaimed. Most of these plots were usurped in Imam Sahib and Qala-i-Zal districts, where 1,700 acres were reclaimed,” he added.

Hassan said that efforts were underway to reclaim the remaining usurped lands and lease them out to legally.

On the other hand, Kunduz residents praised the Land Grab Prevention Commission for its actions.

Samiullah, a Kunduz resident, welcomed the recovery of usurped lands and asked the caretaker government to deal seriously with the usurpers.

He said: "Many lands have been usurped in the past, all these lands must be retaken."

sa/ma