HARIPUR, Nov 20: The Tehsil Municipal Administration, Haripur, has assigned the task of making the main bazaars of the city encroachment-free to a private security agency here on Wednesday.

The agreement was singed at a ceremony between three parties, including the TMA, All Traders Federation Haripur and Real Protect Security Services, in the presence of DCO Jehanzeb Khan.

The function was attended by TMO Syed Iqbal Shah, Tehsil Nazim Iftikhar Ahmad Khan, and office-holders of All Traders Federation, Haripur.

According to the agreement, the Real Protect Security Services’ squad would comprise five persons, who would be responsible for the removal and prevention of casual or temporary encroachment including pushcarts and chabbas from the main bazaar, Mochi Bazaar and Bazaar Loharan during their 12-hour duty.

Under the agreement, which would remain in force until March 31 2003, the TMA would pay the agency Rs18,200 per month and the employees of the company would also be provided police help, if needed.

The removal of encroachment, whether cemented or otherwise, in various bazaars, was always the people’s demand. But nothing was done in this respect as there were some encroachers who were for some reason dear to the administration.

Speaking on this occasion, the Tehsil Nazim, Iftikhar Ahmad Khan, said that the mushrooming of handcarts, and other temporary encroachments were causing serious problems for traffic and pedestrians.

He said that the agreement to which both parties would remain committed, was signed in view of the growing demand by the people to have the encroachments removed.

He also told the participants that to ensure the provision of effective municipal services to the citizens the TMA has plans to constitute citizens’ committees at the ward level which would, according to its duties, liaise with the TMA and the general public for the quick disposal of complaints.