FAISALABAD, Dec 4: Vendors brought traffic to a halt by burning used tyres and pelted the Lyallpur Town Administration employees with stones when they entered Jhang Bazaar for an anti-encroachment operation here on Sunday.

About three dozen staffers of the anti-encroachment wing, headed by Town Nazim Rana Zahid Mehmood, came there and started removing encroachments, especially articles displayed on footpaths and carts parked on the road.

Some vendors and shopkeepers offered resistance and started pelting the local council staff with stones. Chanting slogans against the town administration, they gathered in the bazaar after closing their shops.

The protesting vendors forced shopkeepers of the Jhang Bazaar and Arshad Market to close their shops as well. They also burnt used tyres and blocked the traffic.

After receiving information, the police hastened to the spot and encircled the area. The protesters also tried to close business activities in adjoining markets, but the police foiled their attempt.

The protesting shopkeepers alleged that their articles were being lifted from bazaars without giving any notice which was highly unjustified.

Meanwhile, Traders Alliance Faisalabad announced to observe a complete strike in Eight Bazaars and adjoining commercial centres on Monday against the encroachment drive.

Talking to reporters after the incident, Town Nazim Rana Zahid Mehmood said the operation against encroachments was going on for the last fortnight.

He claimed that vendors parked their carts not only on footpaths but also in the middle of Jhang Bazaar on Sunday leaving no space for pedestrians. He vowed to continue the drive despite protest demonstrations and strike threats.

It is the first-ever anti-encroachment drive during the last two decades in all the Eight Bazaars and its adjoining markets like Anarkali, Arshad Market, Bano Market, Circular Road, Gole Bazaar.

While trade leaders of all markets had assured the town administration of their full support and cooperation for the action against encroachments a couple of weeks back.