Citizens of Kahun Valley of Rawalpindi district have condemned the establishment of cement factory by private sector in the Green Valley and have threatened to resist any move against their will.
"Government is planning to use brute force against the citizens of Kahun valley to take possession of the land. We are ready to give a befitting reply to law enforcing organisation if they go beyond the law", they said while voicing their protest in a press conference here on Monday at Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club.
"Government should take serious note of the situation and immediate measures should be taken to save the lush green valley and fertile land of this valley", said Sarwar and Muhammad Tariq Malik while addressing the press conference.
They called upon President Musharraf and Premier Shaukat Aziz to take stock of the situation and save the scenic beauty of Kahun Valley and ecology of entire region.
"The establishment of the cement factories in this area would cause havoc to the environment and ecological system of entire region" they said and added that rulers should see in the matter without the pressure from wealthy people.
They said if cement factories were established in this valley, 150,000 population of the area would have to face starvation. "It is unfortunate that in spite of tall claims of environmental protection, Punjab government has issued notification of establishment of six cement factories including Bestway Cement Complex and DG Khan Cement Factory", they said.
For the purpose 3,445 kanal land of Tetral village of Kahun Valley was acquired including 2,200 kanals of agricultural land, which is complete violation of constitution and law, they said and added "they are using brute force to take possession of the agricultural land and deprive a huge population from their valuable land.
"We have raised the matter with Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain, the then prime minister and he assured that he will consider the grievances of the people and use efforts to stop the construction work", they said and added that the construction work was not stopped and even police is pressing the people to give the possession of land without hesitation.
They said that as per law the factory owner should have to get an NOC from environment ministry before establishment of factory, which was not sought so far. We have raised the issue with higher judiciary and they issued stay order against the construction, which was not given any heed by factory owners.
They called upon the government to look into the matter humanely in order to save the 150,000 people of the area besides the environment.