FAISALABAD, May 3: Shopkeepers and vendors of Jhang Bazaar on Saturday staged a sit-in in front of the Tehsil Municipal Administration complex in protest against the anti-encroachment drive and the confiscation of goods.

The shopkeepers fell into a rage when TMA teams again encircled the Jhang Bazaar for removing encroachments. Along with vendors, the shopkeepers gathered at the Regal Chowk and shouted slogans against the TMA.

Led by representatives of trade bodies and vendor associations, the protesters marched through different city roads and reached the TMA complex raising slogans in favour of their demands.

They demonstrated in front of TMA offices and threatened to block all city roads by parking their hand-driven carts in case their seized goods were not handed them over within 24 hours.

After a long hour sit-in, TMA high-ups held dialogue with the protesting shopkeepers and assured them that action would be taken against the officials concerned if they found involved in any illegality. However, TMA bosses refused to accept the demand of winding up the anti-encroachment operation.

Meanwhile, the TMA squads launched another operation in Jhang Bazaar on the second day and lifted dozens of trolleys, hand-driven carts and other goods of vendors and shopkeepers from footpaths and roads.

The situation went out of control on Friday when a vendor, Imran Ahmed, threw acid on the TMA anti-encroachment squad which resulted in injuries to three employees.

Jhang Bazaar police have booked four people — Latif, Ilyas, Munir and Imran — for throwing acid on TMA employees and creating hurdles in official task here on Saturday. However, the police have so far arrested only the main accused, Muhammad Imran, while others are still at large. welfare complex: Punjab government’s adviser on children rights Dr Faiza Asghar on Saturday inspected various sections of a social welfare complex in People’s Colony.

She was accompanied by Unicef representative Shamshad H. Qureshi and coordinator Waqar Ahmad Awan.

She said the government was utilizing all its resources towards expanding the welfare network in the country.

EXHIBITION: In connection with Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah year, the Faisalabad Arts Council will organize a three-day exhibition of handicrafts of women from May 9 to 11 at Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Auditorium.