Prayagraj: The Enforcement Task Force (ETF) of the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation on Friday carried out a major anti-encroachment drive around Vivekanand Crossing and Peacock Park in Civil Lines, removing illegal structures from roadsides and footpaths. During the operation, an ETF squad commander was allegedly assaulted by an encroacher, following which a police complaint was lodged.According to ETF in charge Col (Retd) Dinesh Tanwar, the drive was undertaken in compliance with directions issued by the District Magistrate during the District Trade Facilitation Committee meeting held on June 30. The action followed demands raised by the Zila Vyapar Mandal for clearing encroachments around Vivekanand Crossing to restore smooth movement of pedestrians and traffic.Col Tanwar informed that the ETF removed four truckloads of illegal kiosks (gumtis) and other encroachments during the operation. Earlier, an encroachment removal drive was also conducted on July 1 along Sardar Patel Marg near Robot Crossing, but encroachers allegedly reoccupied the road margins and footpaths, once again obstructing public movement. Consequently, a fresh enforcement drive was launched on Friday.During the operation, one Vijay Kumar, a resident of Hanuman Mandir, Rajapur, allegedly resisted the drive and attacked ETF Squad Commander Kuldeep Singh Yadav. The official sustained injuries. The accused also allegedly abused members of the enforcement team, obstructed the anti-encroachment drive.Following the incident, the accused was taken to Civil Lines police station. A formal complaint was submitted to the Civil Lines police through PMC official Anupam Shukla, seeking legal action against the accused for assaulting govt personnel and obstructing official work.ETF in-charge Col (Retd) Dinesh Tanvar said the anti-encroachment campaign would continue across the city to ensure that roads and footpaths remain free of illegal occupation and accessible to the public.
