Muscat – North Sharqiyah Municipality has removed encroachment on 18 acres of land in the wilayat of Bidiyah.

A statement issued by North Sharqiyah Municipality said that its specialists recorded a number of violations in Bidiyah. ‘The violations included encroachment on 75,995sqm (18 acres) of land mostly for agricultural purposes. The municipality has taken all legal and procedural measures for their removal.

‘Dealing with these violations vary from case to case. Violators are made aware and guided to stop their encroachment. In the event that the violator fails to comply, immediate action is taken to remove these occupants in accordance with regulations or referred to competent authorities to end these violations.’

North Sharqiyah Municipality removed the encroachments after verifying that there are no documents proving legal ownership of the plot.

‘A board is placed at the site urging the encroacher to appear before the municipality with his documents proving ownership of the land.’

In case the violator fails to appear, the sheikh of the area is contacted to find the owner. If the encroacher is still not contact-able, a violation is filed against the unknown person by the follow-up department of the competent directorate. The remaining procedures are completed and referred to the Public Prosecution to issue a ruling for removal.