Land encroachments up in Makkah

Over 800 cases of land encroachments were registered in Makkah last year, with some areas witnessing an average of one violation per day, according to an investigative survey disclosed to Arab News.
Encroachments include the seizure of farms, concrete houses, tents and walled areas used as enclosures for livestock. The largest number of encroachments was recorded at Al-Umra sub-municipality, which registered 346 land violations on an area spanning 137,000 square meters.
The Bahra sub-municipality registered 185 encroachments on an area of 8,250 square meters in the same period, while Al-Shawqia, Al-Maabda, Al-Sharae, Al-Masfala and Al-Azizia each faced 163, 55, 50, 17 and 13 property infringements respectively. Heads of the sub-municipalities have revealed that they face difficulties in evicting encroachers and demolishing their illegal structures, as they are met with angry protesters, including women and children, and are sometimes assaulted.
Officials have been accompanied by security men to tow away cars deliberately parked to obstruct demolition, said Hasan Khankar, head of Al-Umra sub-municipality in Makkah, adding that encroachers are Saudis and non-Saudis and include visa overstayers.
Khaled Sindi, head of Al-Bahra municipality, said his office approaches the governor’s office for further protection when it fails to evict violators.
Fahd Al-Bishri, head of Al-Sharae municipality, said in some cases when police are late, officials from his office are left unprotected and vulnerable.