Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Nov 26: Tension erupted in the border township of Mendhar after a mob of traders and some local youth turned violent during anti-encroachment drive launched by Sub Divisional administration, manhandled Tehsildar and torched a vehicle in the main market late this evening.
The problem was created when Sub Divisional Magistrate Rahul Yadav, Tehsildar Mendhar Shahzad Khan, SDPO Riaz Tantray, SHO Mohd Amin along with police force arrived in the main market along with JCB and launched anti-encroachment drive. Majority of the shopkeepers in Saria Market and other areas of the main market have covered drains with slabs. This has created problem for the Administration as drains often remain blocked and during rains, entire market is seen under water logging.
The administration started operation to break these slabs and clear the drains to overcome this chronic problem. At around 7.30 pm during operation, a strong mob of the traders, supported by some locals assembled in the market and strongly opposed move of the administration. They had heated exchanges with the Tehsildar who is also local of the area. Some youth in the mob manhandled the Tehsildar causing him injuries on his face.
He started bleeding from the teeth and lips. The police officials on duty however, controlled the situation and made the SDM to move away in the safer zone and pulled out the Magistrate from there.
The irate mob then started protest against the police authorities and administration and alleged that they were not served notice before the operation while the Administration claimed that they had been issued warnings and even notices were given several times.
Later, another group of youth appeared there and started violence. They broke a private Maruti Swift car of one Majid Bashir parked in the market. They raised slogans against police authorities.
Later, they set the damaged car on fire. The police cane charged the miscreants who fled the spot. The mob also resorted to stone pelting on the Fire Brigade vehicle when it was moving towards the burning car. The car was totally burnt. With this, the anti-encroachment operation was also stalled.
SDPO Riaz Tantray when contacted said that situation was under control. He said Section 144 CrPC has been imposed in the troubled town. The protesters were made to flee to their homes as additional police force was deployed in the area. He said that police has identified the miscreants and action will be taken against the accused persons. For the time being this operation has been stalled but it will be resumed shortly.
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