Three persons, including two street hawkers, were arrested in Manali on Friday evening for allegedly obstructing government officials from performing their official duties during a drive to remove encroachments from footpaths carried out by the Municipal Council.
The incident occurred when a joint team of the Manali Municipal Council, district administration and the police started removing roadside vendors and rehriwallas, who had allegedly encroached upon footpaths along the busy Mall Road and its adjoining areas. The civic body initiated the drive following repeated complaints from residents and tourists regarding inconvenience caused to pedestrians due to encroachment on public walkways.
According to official sources, as the team began removing encroachments, some individuals objected to the action and allegedly engaged in a heated argument with the officials. The situation escalated when a few persons reportedly pushed and manhandled members of the enforcement team, thereby obstructing them from performing their official duties. However, the police intervened and brought the situation under control.
Three persons were arrested on the charge of obstructing government officials from performing official duties. Those arrested have been identified as Sandeep, a resident of Geeta Colony, New Delhi; Mohit Belcha, a resident of Namabardar Colony, Burari, New Delhi; and Avneesh, a resident of Ward Number 7 of Manali.
Executive Officer of Manali Municipal Council Karun Bharmoria said that several complaints had been received regarding illegal vending activities on the Mall Road. He added that no one would be allowed to occupy footpaths meant exclusively for pedestrian movement. He appealed to the vendors and the general public to cooperate with the Municipal Council to ensure smooth implementation of civic regulations.
Manali DSP KD Sharma said that three persons were arrested and the police had registered a case for obstructing government officials from discharging official duties. He added that an investigation was underway and strict action would be taken against anyone found violating the law.
Manali SDM Raman Kumar Sharma said that the administration was making all possible efforts to keep the footpaths and pathways in the town clean, safe and free from encroachments. He added that illegal occupation of footpaths not only caused inconvenience to pedestrians but also tarnished the image of Manali, a premier tourist destination.
The SDM said that the anti-encroachment drive in Manali would continue in the coming days.