Traders protest alleged tyre slashing by admin

Over 10 vehicles had tyres damaged during enforcement drive in Abbottabad market

ABBOTTABAD:

Strong protests broke out across the city after traders and residents accused the district administration — particularly the Assistant Commissioner — of unlawfully damaging the tyres of at least 13 parked vehicles, most of them belonging to shopkeepers, during an enforcement operation in the main bazaar.

According to eyewitnesses and affected traders, officials from the district administration, accompanied by local police, allegedly punctured and completely destroyed the tyres of several vehicles parked outside shops.

The traders stated that they had left their vehicles in front of their businesses before attending Friday (Juma) prayers when the incident occurred.

"Upon returning from prayers, we were shocked to discover that the tyres of our vehicles had been slashed with sharp instruments," several shopkeepers told reporters, alleging that the action was taken without prior notice or due legal process.

They contended that the administration neither issued warnings nor imposed fines, nor did it deploy vehicle lifters to impound the cars - measures they described as lawful and procedurally appropriate. Instead, they claimed, the tyres were deliberately damaged, resulting in financial loss and distress to the owners.

In response, traders and local residents assembled in large numbers and staged a protest, blocking the main bazaar and the city's central chowk for nearly two hours. Demonstrators chanted slogans against the district administration and the police, while trader representatives described the incident as an "unlawful act" and a misuse of authority.

Sardar Shah Nawaz, leader of the All Traders Federation, told the media that a written complaint had been lodged at the City Police Station against the AC over the alleged misconduct. He called for immediate action and demanded a transparent judicial inquiry into the matter.

He further warned that the trader community would approach the superior courts if justice was not delivered and those responsible were not held accountable.