Rawalpindi: Massive drive against encroachers launched

[Naveed Yaseen]

Malik Ayub Sumbal
The Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Tuesday launched a grand operation against the encroachment ‘mafia’ in the vicinity of Rawal Town confiscating goods and kiosks of the encroachers, who were occupying footpaths and roads.

This was the first massive action of its kind during the last eight years, which was launched by the TMA’s anti-encroachment staff. The operation was conducted in Raja Bazaar, Saidpur Road, Namak Mandi, Ganjmandi, Gawalmandi, Iqbal Road, Benazir Bhutto Road, Commercial Market and Sadiqabad.

Teshil Municipal Officer (TMO) Irfan Saleem Butt told ‘The News’ that on the directives of the commissioner and district coordination officer, the operation would be conducted on daily bases and no one will be spared in this regard.

He said that Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif is committed to remove the encroachments from the province and the ongoing operation is the first step towards this direction.

He said that earlier confiscated goods used to be given back to the owners by imposing a fine of Rs1,000, but now all confiscated goods will be auctioned.

He said that signboards of the shops would also be removed, as encroachers take shelter under these huge signboards. “There is no need of these boards that narrow down the path, which is a hurdle for the pedestrians and traffic,” he added.

In the operation more than 60 personnel and four trucks took part. The Rawal Town was divided into four sectors for anti-encroachment drive by deploying one assistant superintendent, one sector in charge and other staff in each sector. The police also assisted the TMA staff during the operation.

The TMA also held talks with the traders union (Anjuman-e-Tajran) and told them that now encroachers would have to leave. Irfan Saleem Butt said that FIR would be registered against those shopkeepers who would allow the encroachers to use fronts of their shops.

A large number of people appreciated the TMA’s step against the encroachers. While taking

to ‘The News’ Rashid Mehmood, a student, said, “The markets

and the bazaars are presenting

a good look and there is no traffic jam and rush as there is no encroachment after the operation.”

Robina Naz, a woman, while shopping in Raja Bazaar said, “I am astonished after seeing such a space in the bazaar.”

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=153604