No leniency: Civic bodies continue action against encroachment

One commercial building among 11 demolished structures

RAWALPINDI: Municipal Corporation Rawalpindi (RMC) conducted operations against illegal and unauthorised land use, destroying and sealing 11 illegally constructed structures on Sunday, while FIRs were registered against the violators.

According to town officer of RMC, among the 11 destroyed structures demolished by the building department one included a commercial building A case has been register against the owner.

During the operation illegal parking areas in SatelliteTown and Commercial Market were also demolished.

RMC official said that that strict action against illegal constructions would be taken and demolished without discrimination.

Meanwhile the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) in its ongoing anti-encroachment operation confiscated 19 truckload goods from different markets ares of the city.

Last week they had demolished nearly 500 illegal sheds and cemented structures.

According to RCB spokesman the grand anti-encroachment operation launched on the directives of Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench was conducted in Saddar, Chungi No22,Westridge, Allahabad, Naseerabad, Tench Bhatta, Peoples Colony, Hathi Chowk,Abid Majeed Road, Peshawar Road and other areas.

Fines were imposed on a number of shopkeepers in different areas fines.

The anti-encroachment operation on the instructions of Cantonment Executive Officer (CEO) Sibtain Raza has been intensified, he added.

He informed that 18 shops illegally constructed in Chor Chowk, Masrial, Peshawar road and Ahata Mithu Khan were also demolished while two cows were confiscated during the operation.

He said, earlier the notices were also issued to the shopkeepers and they were directed to remove encroachments on their own else strict action in accordance with the law would be taken. The spokesman told the media that the operation would continue and warned the traders not to violate the rules as stern action would be taken against the violators and no relaxation would be given to anyone.

He informed that the board had established a special anti-encroachment unit to clear all Cantt areas and remove temporary and permanent encroachments.

Illegal banners and posters were also being removed, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2018.