Traders baton-charged in Swat

MINGORA: The police resorted to baton-charge, tear gas shelling and firing shots into the air when the traders resisted the anti-encroachment operation launched by the local administration at Fizaghat area on Wednesday.

The administration also took several persons, including Malakand Division Traders Federation president Abdul Rahim, trader leader Dr Khalid Mehmood, Pakistan People’s Party’s Iqbal Hussain Ballay into custody during the protest against the encroachment drive.

The clash erupted after protesters blocked the main Kalam Road, leading to long queues of vehicles on both sides of the road and causing serious inconvenience to commuters and patients on their way to hospitals.

Traders’ leader Abdul Rahim condemned the administration’s actions and said that the use of tear gas and firing on civilians was an insult to the people.He alleged that the authorities had earlier reached an agreement through negotiations but later resumed the anti-encroachment drive in violation of that understanding, which he termed as a betrayal and unacceptable act.