BAHAWALPUR, July 2: Shopkeepers observed a strike and blocked the busy Farid Gate and chowk to protest against the TMA’s anti-encroachment drive in the city here on Wednesday.

The TMA under the directive of district coordination officer Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmed had launched an operation against the encroachments and illegal constructions in various bazaars and roads.

On Tuesday night, the TMA squads removed all sheds in front of shops under which handcart-pushers used to sell their merchandise after making payment to traders.

On Wednesday, when traders came to open their shops, they found all the shed removed. Later, they gathered at Farid Gate, raised slogans against the TMA and blocked thoroughfares by putting gas pipelines on roads. The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited had placed these pipes for its project.

Owing to blockade of four roads, traffic going towards stadium, general bus stand, police lines, DC and DIG offices and university was jammed.

The protest continued for hours during which TMA representatives reached the spot and assured the traders that the issue would be resolved amicably. Later, Muttahida Markazi Anjuman-i-Tajran at its meeting decicded to give three-day deadline to the local administration to resolve the matter.

The Anjuman demanded that before the operation clean-up, the president of the respective bazaar should have been taken into confidence.