RAWALPINDI, July 6: The Rawal Town Municipal Administration (RTMA) on Wednesday launched grand operation against encroachments in collaboration with local police and razed 25 huts of nomads on its 10 kanal land along Leh Nullah near Kattarian Bridge on I.J. Principal Road.

Rawal Town Administrator Saif Anwar Jappa told Dawn that the nomads had built their houses along the nullah and it would be dangerous for them in case of flood. He said that he directed the RTMA enforcement staff to remove all the temporary or permanent encroachments along the nullah till mid July.

He said that the Met Office predicted heavy rains in the twin cities after mid July and if water in Leh Nullah reached dangerous level, it would be difficult for the civic agencies to evacuate the people living along the nullah.

He said that the RTMA issued notices to the residents of the houses which were built illegally on the banks of nullah and if they did not vacate the place, the RTMA staff would remove their houses forcibly.

He said that the RTMA would continue its operation against the encroachments along Leh Nullah to avoid any untoward situation during monsoon. He said that the staff would also use heavy machines to raze the permanent encroachments within two days.