CHARSADDA: Multi-storey buildings and shops were demolished during an anti-encroachment operation launched in Shabqadar Bazaar here on Sunday.

The structures were erected illegally on the state land along irrigation channels, thus squeezing their width and obstructing water flow, the administration officials said.

Additional deputy commissioner Sania Safi supervised the operation. A large number of police personnel, an armoured personnel carrier and a Rescue 1122 fire brigade were deployed to deal with any eventuality during the action.

The directives for launching the operation were issued by the chief commissioner on orders of the chief minister to retrieve state land from encroachers.

The officials said notices had been issued to encroachers a week ago to remove encroachments voluntarily, but to no effect. The operation was started from the FC Market. However, later the shopkeepers themselves started removing encroachments. By 3pm about 70 per cent of the task had been completed.

Ms Sania Safi told mediapersons that the operation would continue till all structures built along the irrigation channels were removed.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2021