Heavy police force was deployed after six members of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) anti-encroachment squad team were injured as shopkeepers near Bhopal Talkies Square went to clear the encroachment on Tuesday. Traders went on rampage who were having shops near Bhopal Plaza situated near Bhopal talkies square at around 11.30 am when members of BMC anti encroachment squad started to remove encroachment.
BMC vehicle carrying the members were stone pelted and the driver was injured in the attack along with five other members of the team. Police were informed and on the receipt of the information police rushed to the spot and rescued the members, later the situation was pacified after police intervention. Officer of Anti Encroachment Squad Kamar Saqib said that the action of removing the encroachment was taken after receiving scores of complaints by commuters and local residents regarding encroaching of roads by traders who keep their goods on roads leaving narrow space for the commuters leading to traffic chaos at Bhopal Talkies square.
The traders initially opposed the operation and tried to oppose the action but the strict and firm anti squad team members continued to do their work which irritated the traders and they attacked the members in which around six members’ sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital where they were discharged after providing first aid treatment.
The police have registered a case under section 147,148,186,357,323 and 332 of the IPC of the register. A complaint against 10 people was lodged at Hanumanganj police station. Till the filing of the report no arrests were made in the case. Police have claimed that the accused traders involved in the chaos and stone pelting would be nabbed and action would be taken against those traders and their employees involved in the attack injuring the members of the squad and vandalizing the BMC vehicle.