Mumbai: The Congress and the NCP leadership has criticised the MNS for attacking illegal hawkers and vandalising their carts outside Thane station even as similar scenes were witnessed at Dombivali, Kalyan, Vasai and Nallasopara railway stations. However, Union minister of state for social justice and RPI-A leader Ramdas Athawale not only slammed the MNS violence, but also warned them of retaliation by his Bhim Sainiks (party cadre) if the injustice against the poor hawkers continues.
The warning came with an advice to the hawkers for maintaining the road discipline so as to ensure that pedestrians and motorists are not inconvenienced by their presence. The offensive came a fortnight after the MNS warned that it would single-handedly act against such hawkers if the authorities do not evict hawkers outside the stations and on the foot-over bridges within a timeframe of 15 days.
“The issue of illegal hawking can be tackled by police and the local administration, but if the MNS activists were so eager to fight, they should go to the Pakistan border and counter our real enemies rather than attacking the poor hawkers.” said Athawale who was in Mira Road to attend a conclave organised by the local RPI unit led by Devendra Shelekar at a hotel on Saturday evening.
