Anti-encroachment drive: 29 FIRs against shopkeepers, vendors in a day

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 22

Taking a tough stance against encroachments on city roads by shopkeepers and roadside vendors, the Ludhiana police have registered as many as 29 FIRs against offenders on Wednesday. Not only this, those booked in cases will also face another penalty as their passports and arm licences if anyone will also be cancelled.

While talking to The Tribune, Police Commissioner (CP) Rakesh Agrawal said despite serving warnings to shopkeepers, roadside vendors and rehriwalas to stop encroachment on roads, many were today found violating the orders. Hence taking strict action, the police registered 29 FIRs against offenders, Agrawal added.

FIRs were registered under Sections 283 (Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation), 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC.

“In all, 13 FIRs have been registered in Division No. 5, 10 FIRs at Division No. 1, five FIRs at Division No. 2 and one FIR at Division No. 3. The anti-encroachment drive will continue in future, including tomorrow, with more strictness. Whosoever is found encroaching roads will have to face FIR on the spot,” Agrawal said.

Not only this, Agrawal also planned to take encroachers seriously. “I will write to the passport authorities to cancel passport of offenders. The police will also find if any offender has an arms licence, which will also be cancelled with immediate effect,” Agrawal added.

“Interestingly, even if any offender is not having any passport or arms licence he will then not be able to apply for the same in future. The police verification for the passport and an arms licence will not be done for such offenders,” Agrawal said.

Notably, a few days ago Agrawal had declared that any kind of encroachment on road, which slowed down the smooth flow of traffic would not be tolerated. Initially, warnings with be given and after that straight FIRs would be registered, Agrawal added.

Presently, the anti-encroachment drive has been initiated in areas, including Pavillion Mall Road to Rajpura Chowk, Damoria Bridge to Kailash Chowk, Jandu Chowk, Jagraon Bridge to Clock Tower, Mata Rani Chowk, Lakkar Bridge, Jagraon Bridge to Civil Hospital Road, ESI Hospital to Kochar Market Road, Pakhowal Road, Bhai Bala Chowk to Phullawal, Scooter Market, bus stand to Suman Hospital, Model Town, Baba Deep Singh Gurdwara, Jain Mandir Chowk and Dhandra Road to GK Vihar.

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