NANKANA: Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department of Punjab launched an operation against encroachment and demolished dozens of illegally-constructed houses and other buildings, a private TV channel reported on Saturday.
A number of violent protesters attacked the Auqaf office in the area and set it on fire during and after the operation dubbed as anti-encroachment, the channel reported. The local police force deployed to control the situation after violent protests.
Reportedly, the protesters ‘ordered’ local shopkeepers to close their shops and join them in their protest demonstration. The channel reported that the protesters remained on the road for several hours to show their strength against the action.
Six motor bikes were burnt by the ‘unidentified’ men during the violent protest. Private TV channels showed video footages in which minor protesters can be seen destroying record and furniture of the Auqaf Department. The protesters also hurled stones at the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Siddiqul Farooq’s vehicle.
Talking to the channel, the ETPB chairman said that he was hopeful that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif would support his struggle against illegal constructions in Nankana. “We are not against anyone but we are taking actions against illegal constructions in Nankana,” he said.
