NAVI MUMBAI: A Vashi-based woman activist and alert citizens have urged Maharashtra's Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) to ensure that the menace of illegal hawkers does not "mushroom into a bigger problem that can endanger the lives of people".
Activist Madhu S, who had earlier complained about an illegal tea stall on the footpath in sector 29, has now intimated the civic body and the police authorities that she fears for her life as certain affected parties are intimidating her for complaining and also tried to lodge a counter complaint against her as a pressure tactic.
"I had merely intimated the local NMMC officials about a tea stall which had encroached on the footpath and was also selling tobacco products. While the Vashi ward office did clear up the pavement in the past, my family members are now worried about my safety as some persons try to follow me when I go out of the house," said Madhu S.
She added, "Many residents are supporting me by urging NMMC to regularly take action against illegal hawkers, or else provide licence permits to them so that they do not encroach public spaces."
Vashi-based Congress activist Vaibhav Sawant said, "In the past there have been terrible fights between hawkers for selling their wares on the footpaths in various sectors. I have also told the municipal officers to control this social problem, or else there can be a repeat of what recently happened in the Thane Municipal Corporation wherein a lady official's finger was chopped with a knife by angry hawkers who are resorting to violence for doing their business."
Vashi 'C' ward officer Sukhdev Yedwe said, "We do take action against illegal hawkers in Vashi. However, after the Lockdown was lifted, many hawkers have come back on the streets. Legally speaking, no hawker can sell goods if they do not have the municipal permit or licence."
Meanwhile, the woman activist added, "We do not mind if proper licences are given to hawkers who do not sell harmful products like tobacco. So, the NMMC and police need to really think about it and resolve the issue."
