Mumbai: Following an assault by a mob on a BMC team carrying out a drive against unauthorised hawkers and encroachment at Lokhandwala Circle area in Kandivli East, municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani visited the area on Sunday and issued directives to take strict action against all unauthorised hawkers in the area as well as against shopkeepers, creating obstructions on footpaths. Gagrani ensured that obstructions on the footpath and vehicles parked on the road were removed and also issued directives to immediately shut down a pizza shop, as its two-wheelers used for delivery were obstructing traffic movement. After it was brought to notice that along with unauthorised hawkers, some local college students were also part of the mob that carried out the attack on the civic team, Gagrani instructed the officials concerned to notify the respective colleges and take action in this regard.
Gagrani also met and enquired about the well-being of the officers and employees from the civic action squad. The eviction action was carried out on Saturday by BMC’s R-South ward against unauthorised hawkers at the Vishwakarmane Chowk (Lokhandwala Circle) area in Kandivli, when they were assaulted. The mob also vandalised equipment and vehicles. Gagrani said attacking officers and employees, who are carrying out action as per rules is condemnable and that the administration had taken serious cognizance of this incident. He also pointed out that the eviction action against unauthorised hawkers obstructing traffic and pedestrian movement, and against those carrying out unauthorised construction on footpaths, will continue.Samta Nagar Police had arrested five persons — Kuldeep Chudavat, Mahendra Singh Chudavat, Shaurya Charla, Jash Charla and Aslam Shaikh — in connection with the incident and registered a case of unlawful assembly and assaulting of public servants. Usually, police personnel are part of BMC teams, while carrying out such drives, but the police were not informed in advance in this case.
