Mumbai: A group of hawkers allegedly manhandled and attacked the on-duty civic personnel from the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC), who had gone to clear encroachments that had been obstructing commuter (pedestrian) and vehicular movement in and around the premise of the Mira Road railway station.
The incident has once again turned the spotlight on the rising clout of the hawker mafia who are believed to have been operating a full-fledged handcart syndicate in Mira Road.
While three hawkers identified as- Yusuf Manzoor Aalam (26), Miran Ameen Syed (23) and Amin Jahoor Syed (45) were arrested on Saturday, one of their accomplices is still at large, confirmed officials from the Naya Nagar police station.
On their regular eviction drive, a team led by ward officer- Narendra Chavhan had gone to the Mira Road railway station to clear hawkers who encroached upon the approach roads and public walkways.
However, the accused quartet allegedly started instigating people around them before cornering the civic personnel and manhandling them.
The hawkers have alleged that the civic personnel had been adopting a pick-and –choose policy to target those who did not pay bribes to avoid eviction, a charge vehemently denied by civic officials.
A case under sections 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code against the trio, while a hunt was on to nab their absconding accomplice.
The Bombay high court had recently reiterated upon an apex court order, restraining hawking activities within 150 meters of railway stations and 100 meters from educational and religious institutions.
