KHAIRPUR: Police on Wednesday assured traders and vendors of suitable compensation for the damage they suffered during a ‘ruthless’ anti-encroachment drive at Punj Gulla Chowk on Wednesday.

The assurance came after a three-hour shutdown and street protest by traders, shopkeepers and vendors having their businesses in the busy commercial area.

The protesters said their paraphernalia and merchandise were damaged by the ruthlessness resorted to by the staff concerned. They also complained of discrimination saying that encroachers in other such areas were not being touched.

Khairpur SSP Usman Ghani Siddiqui held talks with a delegation of the Anjuman Tajran-i-Khairpur and the Pushcart Owners Association and offered suitable compensation to the affected people.

On his assurance, the protesters ended the shutdown.