RAWALPINDI, Sept 19: Traders of Raja Bazaar and Satellite Town closed their shops on Thursday and took to the roads, protesting against the anti-encroachment campaign launched by the district administration and demanded return of their valuables.

The protesters raised slogans against the administration and pledged to continue the strike on Saturday, if their goods, impounded by the anti-encroachment staff were not returned.

The traders of Raja Bazaar started protesting, when the anti-encroachment staff led by Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMO) with police contingents, started lifting vendors and goods decorated by traders outside their shops, witnesses said.

The traders alleged that they pay the Tehsil Municipal staff for occupying the space, while the TMA claims that traders have been violating the rules.

After the talks between the TMA and traders failed, the traders of Raja Bazaar partially closed their shops and gathered in the middle of the road. Later the traders of Nimak Mandi completely closed their shops and took out a protest rally.

The protesting traders, led by Haji Mohammad Islam and Mohammad Imran raised slogans against the TMA staff and asked the governor Punjab and the district Nazim to redress their complaint.

In Satellite Town Commercial market, the shopkeepers closed their shops when the window pane of a shop was broken allegedly by the TMA staff during anti-encroachment drive.

Witnesses said some children started crying on seeing the people running helter and skelter. Some of the people sustained bruises and cuts while fleeing.

The police when contacted, said no one had been arrested or cases registered against the protesters.