Melody Food Park cleared of encroachments
Shopkeepers allege civic agency officials used to take bribes from them
A CDA team demolished illegally-constructed shops and other encroachments in Melody Food Park. PHOTO: MUDASSAR RAJA/EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Monday in an operation cleared the Melody Food Park of encroachments.
During the drive, three illegally-constructed shops and other encroachments were removed from the area.
Shopkeepers of the food street later staged a demonstration against the drive, terming it unlawful.
Traders protest encroachment
The CDA spokesperson said that the drive was carried out in light of directions from the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The court on November 23 had directed the civic agency to remove all encroachments from the market.
The CDA official said that prior to carrying out the drive, shop owners were served notices and reminders, but they did not adhere to their warnings.
During the operation, shopkeepers showed resistance and pelted stones at the enforcement team. Despite opposition, the authorities completed the operation.
Unexplainable and unjust: CDA silent on other encroachments
Shopkeepers alleged the CDA staffers of regularly receiving bribes from them in the name of giving protection to their businesses.
They declared that they would move the IHC against the operation.
The enforcement team also confiscated three trucks of material collected from the encroached premises.
The CDA spokesperson said that the operation against encroachers would continue in the coming days, and that busy markets would be targeted during the ongoing campaign.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2015.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Monday in an operation cleared the Melody Food Park of encroachments.
During the drive, three illegally-constructed shops and other encroachments were removed from the area.
Shopkeepers of the food street later staged a demonstration against the drive, terming it unlawful.
Traders protest encroachment
The CDA spokesperson said that the drive was carried out in light of directions from the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The court on November 23 had directed the civic agency to remove all encroachments from the market.
The CDA official said that prior to carrying out the drive, shop owners were served notices and reminders, but they did not adhere to their warnings.
During the operation, shopkeepers showed resistance and pelted stones at the enforcement team. Despite opposition, the authorities completed the operation.
Unexplainable and unjust: CDA silent on other encroachments
Shopkeepers alleged the CDA staffers of regularly receiving bribes from them in the name of giving protection to their businesses.
They declared that they would move the IHC against the operation.
The enforcement team also confiscated three trucks of material collected from the encroached premises.
The CDA spokesperson said that the operation against encroachers would continue in the coming days, and that busy markets would be targeted during the ongoing campaign.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2015.