Removing encroachment: Rawalpindi police distance themselves from liability

Official says TMA was responsible for removing illegal structures

RAWALPINDI: With encroachment becoming a nuisance for commuters on the narrow roads of the garrison city, the Rawalpindi police on Monday distanced themselves from any liability towards the illegal structures.

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Wisal Fakhar Raja on Monday said that removing encroachment was the exclusive duty of the Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMAs) and not of the police.

Addressing a gathering of traffic wardens at the Traffic Headquarters, Raja asked traffic wardens to continue their duties with dedication and commitment and to not to be intimidated by anyone.

He urged senior TMA officials and traders to cooperate with traffic police in this regard.



Addressing the wardens, the RPO said that the responsibility of police was to guard the lives and properties of the people and not to clean the roads of encroachment. That was the purpose and duty of TMAs, he added.

Raja said that the long duties of traffic wardens under the harsh summer sun was tougher than the duties assigned to anyone else since they controlled traffic on the roads even during harsh weather conditions.

He lamented that no step was being taken for the welfare of traffic wardens. However, the RPO said that he would soon order for umbrellas to be placed at intersections and provide chilled drinking water to wardens.

The gathering was also attended by Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Chaudhry Yousaf Ali Shahid, DSP Headquarters Taimoor Khan, and other DSPs, Inspectors and traffic wardens.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2017.