40 residential units razed on second day of Chanesar Halt operation

The anti-encroachment operation along a train track’s right-of-way area near Chanesar Halt continued on Saturday on the second day.

According to details shared by the Pakistan Railways Karachi division, the operation on the second day remained peaceful as after knowing about the certitude of the operation, most of the illegal occupants vacated their settlements before the inception of the operation on the second day.

The anti-encroachment operation on an overcast second day was jointly carried out by the Karachi Railways, district administration and the Rangers.

Pakistan Railways Property and Lands Director Ameer Mohammad Daudpota and Ferozabad Assistant Commissioner were also present at the site of the operation as they personally supervised the proceedings.

As much as 40 residential units built over a cumulative area of 18,000 square feet were reduced to rubble by the use of four heavy demolishing machines.

Pakistan Railways Divisional Superintendent Karachi Muhammad Hanif Gul termed the conclusion of anti-encroachment operation a major success that would act as stepping stone for further similar actions in the division.

A day ago on Friday, severe law and order disruption was witnessed in the Chanesar Halt area when people tried to resist an anti-encroachment operation by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).

In the operation in PECHS Block 6, the anti-encroachment squad was met with stone attacks and aerial firing in the area. As a result, the Ferozabad assistant commissioner and three officials of the anti-encroachment squad were injured.

The operation was held in Chanesar Halt PECHS Block 6 near the railway track. Several concrete houses were demolished during the operation, which was held in coordination with the district administration and Pakistan Railways.

The anti-encroachment team said residents of the area pelted them with stones and resorted to aerial firing but they continued the demolition drive.

The land vacated through the operation is the right of way which is worth millions of rupees. A Pakistan Railways official said an FIR had been lodged against those who had created law and order problems in the area.

According to KMC Senior Director Bashir Siddiqui, the operation was carried out in the Jamshed division of District East in Swat Char Bagh Colony and the encroachments surrounding a storm drain in a Railways colony in the area were removed.

Sharing details of the operation, the Pakistan Railways Karachi office said the anti-encroachment operation jointly conducted by the Karachi Railways and district police near Chanesar Halt concluded on its first day despite stiff resistance. A total of 20 residential units spread over 10,000 square feet were completely demolished during the operation.

The illegal settlements had been constructed on the right-of-way area along the track that would be completely uprooted. Three railways' policemen also

sustained minor injuries during the anti-encroachment operation.