Hundreds of hawkers here protested an eviction drive by the civic authorities to clean up the city, saying their livelihood is at stake.
Mumbai, Aug 9 : Hundreds of hawkers here protested an eviction drive by the civic authorities to clean up the city, saying their livelihood is at stake.
Congregating under the banner of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, the protestors accused the State Government of ending their source of livelihood.
"They should make some arrangements for us, otherwise how will we earn our livelihood, how will we run our families?" asked Roshan Sharma, a vendor.
Shabia Ali Mohammad, a vegetable vendor, said police and civic authorities continue to harass them, though they pay 1250 rupees per week as hawking fine.
"They take 1250 rupees as fine in a week or so. From where will we get the money? I was born on the roads and spent my entire life over here. Where we will go?" asked Shabia.
The authorities say they are abiding by a 2003 Supreme Court ruling, which declared several Mumbai roads as "no hawking zones".
ANI