ISALMABAD - The anti encroachment drive launched by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) might be aimed at clearing the commercial areas of encroachers, yet it has proved to be an irksome factor for the shopkeepers and traders. The shopkeepers in the different sectors of Islamabad talked to TheNation to share their views about the ongoing drive. The traders reported that the concerned officials, in the name of clearing encroachments, were exploiting them. Traders at Karachi Company, Peshawar Mor, Aabpara, F-10 and Jinnah Super Market alleged that the officials of the Enforcement Wing of CDA were constantly harassing them in the name of anti-encroachment drive. "Even in the past, the concerned officials would bug us but the recent operation in the name of clearing the encroachments has given them a free hand to harass the traders community, whenever and wherever they want to," said Muhammad Akram, a trader of dairy items at Karachi Company. "I agree there are some elements involved who make minor makeshift stalls which are encroachments on public places, but the traders like us who pay taxes and fulfill all the business requirements must not be targeted because of them," added Shakil Ahmed at Aabpara Market. Some prominent traders at the aforementioned venues maintained that they needed to set up minor stalls outside their shops to attract customers, but CDA and Police officials only allow them to do so, once they receive hefty bribes. "The spring season is approaching fast so we are offering discounted sale on our stalls to sell the remaining winter stock these days. The small stalls that we set within the premises of our shops are neither encroachments nor any hindrance for the public. But even then, concerned authorities keep bugging us for the sake of money," shopkeepers deplored. "Those stall holders who are encroaching public places and hindering the flow of public's movement in markets ought to be cleared but minor stalls set up within the shops' premises must be exempted," shopkeepers demanded. Meanwhile, the makeshift stallholders mentioned that they did not have any alternate means of living to earn bread and butter for their families. "Due to massive unemployment, we can't find jobs. Now that we earn our living by setting up small stalls, the authorities concerned are not pleased. Where should we go then? Whom should we ask for help?" they asked adding the items sold at small stalls are cheap and masses prefer to buy from them. "Anything that aims at facilitating common masses is targeted by the government," deplored the stallholders. Riaz Khan, Incharge Enforcement Wing, Aabpara Region, told this scribe that the officials of Enforcement Wing were monitoring each and every markets across the Capital to ensure smooth flow of pedestrians at the markets. "We conduct surveillance on daily basis to eradicate encroachments. Aabpara market used to be the hub of encroachers but the successful anti encroachment drive has cleaned them up," he mentioned. Replying to a query regarding the reports pertaining to the harassment of traders, Riaz stated, "As an in charge of Aabpara Enforcement Wing, let me state that no trader has been harassed in this market but I can't comment about the other markets." The customers opined that small makeshift stallholders should be allowed to operate, while keeping in view the encroachment factor. "The authorities should make sure that public movement is not hindered, but makeshift stall holders should be allowed to operate as they facilitate the masses by offering cheaper stuff amid unbridled inflation," masses observed.