NOWSHERA: The Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) here on Friday sealed 49 shops at Daguna Chowk in Nowshera Kalan area due to a dispute on rent.
The tehsil municipal officer, Jahangira and tehsil officer revenue (TOR), Nowshera, led the operation after shopkeepers refused to agree to increased rents.The operation sparked a protest, with shop owners blocking the Nowshera-Charsadda Road and chanting slogans against the TMA. The shop owners broke the seals and reopened their shops, declaring that they would also file a contempt of court case, while the officials called for police action.
It may be mentioned here that following provincial government directives, TMA Nowshera demanded a rent increase to Rs15,000 per month and a non-refundable security deposit of Rs200,000, which shop owners rejected.
The owners claim an existing agreement sets the rent at Rs2,000 per month, shared equally between TMA and the landowners. They argue they own the property, which includes a planned sports complex and a funeral ground.