Deputy Commissioner S.N. Nagaraju initiated an operation to clear unauthorised and illegal encroachments here on Friday.
Despite stiff resistance from local traders, he had all the illegal encroachments on the streets and footpaths outside the Theen Kandeel vegetable market demolished.
Some of the local traders attempted to stage a roadblock as a token of protest, but in vain, and when Mr. Nagaraju showed no sign of relenting, they sought a day to clear the structures themselves.
‘No negotiating’
Other traders wanted to negotiate, but their attempts were rebuffed. Mr. Nagaraju told them he would speak with them only after they cleared the encroachments. Several merchants closed their shops and left the scene.
“The encroachers were given sufficient time to clear their structures that had come up on roads and footpaths. Since they didn’t act on our notice, we started clearing them,” Mr. Nagaraju told presspersons.
He also directed authorities to clear the roads of debris immediately.
