RCB seals 55 shops, imposes huge fines on encroachers

Rawalpindi

The enforcement branch of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board which has launched anti encroachment drives since last six months on the directives of its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Saima Shah over the last 15 days sealed more than 55 shops and imposed huge fines thus generating revenue valuing more than Rs400,000.

According to Hassan Jan, chief of enforcement Cell and superintendent , grand operations are carried out on daily basis in busy areas and markets of localities like Tench Bhatta, Peoples Colony, Westridge, Gawalmandi, Saddar, Kashmir Road, Hathi Chowk etc.

While carrying out operations against people like cart pushers, vendors, vegetable and fruit sellers, the enforcement staff confiscated their valuables which are stored in RCB store. Similarly, the encroachers who were presented before the magistrate of the civic body were directed to pay fines bounding them not to re-establish their business on roads, which results in encroachments, blocking smooth flow of traffic and creating hardships for the pedestrians.

Hassan Jan told that the enforcement staff also break the push carts of those who re-establish their business. Replying to a question that action is taken only against cart pushers and vendors whereas shopkeepers have created permanent encroachments outside their shops, Hassan Jan cleared that the enforcement staff accompanied by police force remains active during operations and do not spare anyone whether he is trader, shopkeeper or those having influence. While taking action against shopkeepers, the enforcement staff sealed shops in Gawalmandi, Westridge and Tench Bhatta areas. They had violated the rules and regulations of Cantonment Act and had also placed items and goods outside the confined area of their shops.

To another question, he stated that the traders in all localities who allowed people to establish business outside their shops showed resistance when operation is carried out and the encroachers are removed from there. “Similarly, the traders who have formed unions and associations in their respective areas also adopt tactics of protesting to force us not to take action against them. However, we are not pressurised with any such move and continue our tasks of ending encroachments on daily basis,” he added. The encroachers who put resistance against our action are arrested by police and cases are registered against them, Hassan Jan said.