In a major crackdown launched against hawkers, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday, January 20, removed 71 unauthorised stalls, shops, extended structures and additional constructions encroaching footpaths using JCBs, under heavy police security in Kurla.
The action was taken in the Kurla Railway Station area, New Mill Road, Bail Bazaar area, Vinoba Bhave Nagar and surrounding localities.
Of the total, 53 of which are in Kurla Police Station limits and 18 in Vinoba Bhave Nagar Police Station limits.
The eviction was carried out with the help of four encroachment removal vehicles, two JCBs and other equipment. Adequate police force, including 46 officers and personnel, were deployed at the site to maintain law and order.
The civic body’s move came after the Kurla police arrested six hawkers for allegedly assaulting a 29-year-old man following a dispute over bike parking on Sunday, January 18. This incident came to light after the video of the purported incident went viral on social media. The injured was identified as BJP worker Akash Singh.
Additionally, a group of local residents gathered at the L ward office on Tuesday morning and protested demanding action against illegal hawkers in Kurla (west).
Moreover, recently a video has emerged from Kurla West Station Road, Mumbai, showing a narrow street jammed with auto-rickshaws. With vehicles and barricades occupying the road, pedestrians were forced onto footpaths, barely navigating the limited space. The area was also crowded with illegal vendors, worsening the situation for locals.
Details of incident:
According to Kurla police, the incident took place on January 18 between 5.30 pm and 6.00 pm.
The clash unfolded on a busy street already choked with auto-rickshaws, barricades, and commuters.
It occurred when Singh had gone with his father on Bullet to a nearby saloon shop for a haircut.
One of the hawkers had parked his motorcycle outside the salon which was causing inconvenience to passersby. After Akash and the hawker entered into an argument over the parking, a group of six to seven hawkers arrived and allegedly assaulted Akash.
Following an argument over bike parking, Jalil Sheikh and his associates, identified as Sharan, Isaq, Shanu, Ahmed and another unidentified person, allegedly launched a murderous assault on BJP worker Akash Singh.
When Akash Singh’s brother Aseem Singh and Aditya Panse intervened to rescue him, they too were attacked. The accused allegedly used helmets, plastic crates, wooden bamboo sticks, paver blocks and sharp weapons during the assault. All three victims sustained serious injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at Criticare Hospital in Andheri.