RAWALPINDI: Shops and roads were closed in Saddar for more than three hours, as traders protested the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) operation against encroachments on Wednesday.

The issue erupted when the RCB’s anti-encroachment team removed shopkeepers’ goods on Kashmir Road and Saadi Road. The shopkeepers did not resist the drive earlier, but attempted to intervene when officials removed generators installed at a shoe store.

Traders from Kashmir Road and Saadi Road protested at the Bank Road and Adamjee Road squares on Kashmir Road, where they burnt tyres and kept the road closed from 3 to 7pm as local police looked on.

Protesters carrying bamboo sticks forced shopkeepers to close their shops. A group of more than 50 young men visited commercial buildings and threatened to break windows and goods if the shops were not closed down.

After a three hour protest, the Superintendent of Police Potohar Division Syed Ali invited Traders Association President Zafar Qadri and the RCB Additional Cantonment Executive Officer Umer Masoom to his office to settle the issue and obtain a commitment from the traders that they would end their protest.

During the meeting, it was decided that RCB officials and traders representatives would meet at the cantonment offices today (Thursday) and action would be taken against those who were found guilty of entering shops.

Mr Qadri told Dawn that RCB officials had entered shops in the tyre market and confiscated goods displayed inside, which “forced” the traders to protest.

He claimed that RCB officials were accepting bribes from cart vendors while taking action against shopkeepers who were keeping their goods inside their shops.

“RCB officials are getting Rs20,000 per month from each cart pusher or vendor to allow them to set up their stalls on Kashmir Road and Adamjee Road,” he alleged.

He added that the RCB had confiscated generators that were not installed on roadsides or pavements, and said that RCB officials had no right to enter shops and confiscate goods.

When contacted, RCB spokesperson Qaisar Mehmood said RCB officials had confiscated two truckloads of goods from shopkeepers and vendors on Kashmir Road and Saadi Road.

“The 50ft wide Saadi Road has been reduced to 6ft due to encroachments by tyre shops, as they display the tyres on the main road and people have complained about this,” he said.

He said shopkeepers were not allowed to install generators on pavements, which were meant for pedestrian use. Mr Mehmood also denied allegations that RCB officials had entered shops, saying they only confiscated goods displayed on pavements. He added that the RCB would continue its anti-encroachment operation without discrimination or pressure.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2018