Ahmedabad: An anti-encroachment drive in the Naroda area turned tense on Monday night after a group of street vendors allegedly pelted stones at teams from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the city police. One police officer was injured in the incident and was rushed to a hospital for treatment.

The incident took place last evening when the North Zone Estate Department of the AMC, along with Naroda police personnel, reached GEB Road to remove illegal encroachments outside a vegetable market. Although a designated vegetable market has been developed for vendors, several sellers were reportedly operating on the roadside on a daily basis, prompting the civic body to take action and remove the carts.

As the operation progressed, a large crowd gathered near the market. Police said some cart vendors and individuals from the crowd turned aggressive and hurled stones at the AMC and police teams. The police intervened to disperse the crowd and continued the drive, seizing carts and clearing the encroached area. During the stone-pelting, an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) sustained injuries and was taken to a hospital for medical care.

Naroda Police Station Inspector P.V. Gohil said a case of rioting has been registered in connection with the incident. Two accused have been arrested so far, while efforts are underway to identify and apprehend others involved in the violence.

The clash occurred amid a citywide mega drive launched by the AMC to ease traffic congestion caused by encroachments and illegal parking. Under the ongoing campaign, AMC teams are removing carts and stalls from major roads across the city from morning until late night. Vehicles parked illegally on public roads are also being locked and fined, while action, including sealing, is being initiated against complexes that fail to utilise designated parking facilities. DeshGujarat