LAHORE, Dec 20: Illegal construction on a restaurant of a stage actoress was among the 380 or so encroachments removed by the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) from Moon Market of Allama Iqbal Town on Saturday.

An official of the LDA told Dawn that notices were issued to stage actoress Nargis to remove the illegal structure on the premises of her restaurant but she ignored them. The actoress was not available for comment, however an employee of the restaurant said that only one verbal warning by some LDA officials was given to them early on Saturday morning.

“Soon after the visit of LDA officials, a number of traders, especially those running eateries on movable counters and kiosks were seen shifting them to safer places. A good number of shopkeepers also removed shades before the arrival of anti-encroachment staff. Perhaps they had information of the operation in advance,” said the restaurant employee.A visit of Moon Market at around 8pm revealed that a number of movable eateries had again returned to the areas of the commercial centre.

Denying the allegation of the restaurant employee, the LDA official said a total of 300 counters, 45 sheds, 35 platforms and other encroachments were removed during the day-long operation.

He said several constructions that had been illegally set up beyond the legitimate boundaries in violation of building bye-laws on LDA land by the occupants of shops and restaurants were also razed for causing impediments in movement by pedestrians, flow of traffic as well as quick disposal of rainwater from the market.