The civic administration on Tuesday initiated action against the management of a shopping complex on the Government Botanical Garden Road here for allegedly putting up an unauthorized structure.

However when the demolition squad of the municipality turned up to remove the structure there had been a heated exchange of words between municipal officials led by the Town Planning Inspector Sethurajan and those running the complex.

With some of them obstructing the officials, tension had prevailed for some time. Later a day's time was given to the management to remove the structure.

Pointing out that if the management fails to remove it, the municipality would swing into action with police help, Mr.Sethurajan toldThe Hindu that tools and welding equipments had been seized from the site.

They would be returned only if the management complies with the order of the municipality.

Stating that on an earlier occasion also action had been taken against the building, he said that some parts are still in the unauthorized category.

Recently permission had been sought to provide an emergency exit.

However, it had been misused to put up a permanent entrance from a public foot path.

He cautioned that if officials are prevented from discharging their duty, action would be taken as per the law.