Street vendors at Sarai Kala's Zia Market in Haripur have accused municipal authorities and police personnel of breaking the locks of closed shops and confiscating handcarts stored inside during an anti-encroachment operation on Saturday. The operation was allegedly conducted in the presence of the Assistant Commissioner Taxila.
Vendors Allege Forced Entry and Seizure
According to the vendors, officials forcibly entered locked premises, seized handcarts kept inside, and in some cases, allegedly manhandled vendors. They further claimed that several individuals were taken into police custody during the operation.
Legal Questions Raised
Questioning the legality of the action, the vendors said they could not understand under what law authorities were permitted to break the locks of private shops and remove their handcarts. The incident has sparked outrage among local traders, who fear similar actions may be repeated.
Impact on Livelihoods
The confiscation of handcarts has severely affected the livelihoods of the vendors, many of whom rely on daily earnings from their small businesses. The vendors have demanded the immediate return of their property and an investigation into the conduct of the officials involved.
