Varanasi: A naib tehsildar was injured and a bulldozer’s windshield damaged after stone-pelting broke out during an anti-encroachment drive in Kerakat nagar panchayat of Jaunpur district on Thursday. A video of the incident later surfaced on social media.The drive was jointly conducted by the revenue department, nagar panchayat and police to remove encroachments from roads, drains and footpaths. During the operation, officials cleared roadside handcarts, pavement shops and tin sheds erected in front of commercial establishments.The drive began from Saraibiru Chauraha and covered Kotwali Chauraha, Tehsil Road and Purana Chauraha Bazaar. The arrival of a bulldozer triggered panic among traders, many of whom began removing their goods voluntarily.Tension escalated when some locals alleged that certain traders had been given time to remove encroachments while others faced immediate demolition. Protesters demanded uniform action by the administration.As officials attempted to defuse the situation, stone-pelting erupted, injuring naib tehsildar Vivek Srivastava and damaging the bulldozer deployed in the drive.Authorities said encroachments in the area were causing frequent traffic congestion and inconvenience to commuters, schoolchildren, patients and motorists. They added that the anti-encroachment campaign would continue at identified public places.Police personnel brought the situation under control after persuading the protesters. Based on complaints lodged by the naib tehsildar and executive officer Sana Sagir, an FIR was registered against six named persons and 20 unidentified individuals for obstructing govt work, pelting stones and attacking the official team.Kotwali SHO Arvind Kumar Pandey said legal action was under way.Sagir said proceedings against illegal occupants of public land would be carried out as per rules. Chief revenue officer Ajay Kumar Ambasht said those involved in the attack would not be spared and that allegations of discrimination in the demolition drive would also be examined. Those found guilty would face strict action, he added.
