Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Aug 1: Haj, Walkf and minority welfare department minister Dr Mumtaz Ali Khan declared in the legislative assembly on Thursday July 31 that even Lord Brahma would find it impossible to evict encroachment of Wakf properties like in the case of Windsor Manor five star hotel in Bangalore, within a time frame.

Replying to a question raised by Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli, a Congress member, the minister informed that there are 135 cases in the state, involving encroachment of Wakf properties. "As we have started the work of addressing the issue now, it would be impossible to dispose off these cases within a time frame", he asserted.

It was a sinful mistake to have given the Wakf land on contract basis to Windsor Manor hotel. The hotel houses bar and pork is also served there, the minister said. People from Muslim community and also betrayers of the society have joined together in this act. The incident also reeks of conspiracy involving Muslim leaders and Muslim clergy, he alleged.

The present laws are not strong enough to wrest back the encroached lands. The tribunals have been functioning in four revenue divisions. Disposal of cases therefore, gets delayed. It would have been better if a single tribunal handles such cases. The government also is faced with a dearth of surveyors. Even if we choose to hire private surveyors, a separate work force will be required to tackle the menace, he clarified.

Several MLAs expressed displeasure over the fact that unauthorized encroachment has taken place on Walkf properties. MLA U T Khader demanded the formation of a joint committee of both the houses, to look into the issue.