RAWALPINDI - It was decided in a high level meeting that all the encroachments at Chungi Number 22 are considered a high security risk and would be removed to avoid any untoward incident.
The participants of the meeting, held between police and Pakistan Army to review the security situation, also severely criticized the negative role of high-ups and officials of Cantonment Board (CCB), who according to them, have given a free rope to encroachers.
Several members of Town Peace Committee were also participated in the meeting and came very hard on the CCB officials and demanded earlier removal of encroachments to secure people and several other military installations, a reliable source revealed to The Nation here on Thursday.
The source added that Pakistan Army top brass has also decided to take up the matter of encroachments and negligence of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) CCB and his brigade of anti-encroachment department inspectors with Station Commander Rawalpindi for a proper solution of the problem.
SHO RA Bazaar Muhammad Riaz, when contacted, confirmed holding of the meeting with Pakistan Army a day ago about messy condition of Chungi Number 22.
He said that police and Pakistan Army top brass agreed on one point that a full fledge operation would be carried out against all the encroachments.
Riaz said that police had taken action against the vendors but they again came and occupied the roads.
Back ground interviews with security officials and police officers suggested that the massive encroachments at Chungi Number 22 square have become a greater security risk not only for the citizens but also for sensitive military installations located around at a time when government put security on high alert following operation Zarb-e-Azb at North Wazistan Agency (NWA).
Scores of vendors and hand push cart owners selling fruit, vegetables and other edibles and daily use items as well as shop keepers have encroached on almost all the roads in Chungi Number 22 clogging traffic and pedestrians movement.
A minor terror act could play havoc with the people and military installations located near Chungi Number 22, they said.
The City Police Officer (CPO), SP Potohar Division and other authorities concerned need to realize the sensitivity of the issue and take concrete steps to remove these encroachments.
Regional Police Officer (RPO), CPO, SP Potohar and ASP Cantt were not available for their comments.