Corporation officials registered a complaint with the city police on Saturday stating they had been prevented from locking and sealing shops with illegal sewer connections and being run without trade licences in Royapettah.
A team of Corporation officials visited the locality on Saturday to lock and seal two shops after issuing notice to them 60 days ago. On Friday, they issued another warning that they would seal the premises if the owners failed to comply with the rules.
Three police personnel, including a woman constable, had accompanied the team of officials. After the Corporation employees switched off the power supply and disconnected the LPG cylinder at the first shop, which is located near Government Royapettah Hospital, and locked it, a group of persons gathered near the shop and started threatening the Corporation officials. The persons prevented the officials from sealing the lock with wax.
“The leader of the group threatened they would retaliate with violence if the police arrested them. We were scared and rushed to the police station and lodged a complaint. The police have a video recording and photos of the gang,” said an employee of the Corporation.
The Corporation councillor of ward 119, D. Vasantha, said the illegal sewer connections would be plugged in two days. “The Corporation officials did not seal the shop on Saturday. But the shop remains closed. They will open the shop only after plugging the sewer connection,” she added.
The Chennai Corporation has identified 1.6 lakh illegal sewer inlets into stormwater drains across the city and has been taking action against violators after issuing notice.
