Patna: The mega drive against encroachment continued in the state capital after a gap of one day and many illegal structures, shops and boundary walls were demolished. FIRs were lodged on a dozen.

The drive resumed at West Boring Canal Road in the presence of divisional commissioner Anand Kishor and district magistrate Kumar Ravi. However, the district administration had to sweat a lot when a restaurant owner engaged in a verbal altercation.

Much before the arrival of the Kishor and Ravi, additional municipal commissioner Sheela Irani was about to give order to demolish the restaurant. However, the owner started arguing with her. Irani did not lose her patience even though the owner started talking to her rudely.

The argument lasted for an hour after which the DM reached the spot. Without knowing him, the owner asked for his identity. Ravi did not look at him and gave the order to Irani to demolish the restaurant. The owner by then had come to know that he was talking to the Patna district magistrate and pleaded with folded hands. Ravi said he cannot do anything as a notice was given well in advance to remove all illegal structures.

Ravi's go-ahead was more than enough for the person sitting on the earthmover and he started demolishing the restaurant.

Seeing the demolition, a few of their staff tried to stop it by standing in front of the machine on which Ravi lost his cool and asked the magistrate deputed on the duty to arrest them.

After 10 minutes of demolition, Kishor reached the spot and asked the status on which Ravi briefed him. He also told him how the owner and his staff were trying to stop the demolition.

Kishor said: "Charge those people in case of obstructing public servant in discharge of public duty which is a non-bailable offence. File FIR against all of them. You people are doing good work. It has to continue till August 31, 2018. This is the area from where we get the phone calls of people with influential links but show no mercy to anyone. Do your duty without fear of anyone. We will not tolerate any excuse on encroachment."

A similar drive was simultaneously being carried out at other places which include Hartali Mor, East Boring Canal Road, Jagdeo Path, Kankerbagh, Patna Science College and Patna City Bypass.

Kishor said a team has been formed which will visit all those places where encroachments have been removed from 5pm to 10pm to ensure squatters do not return.