Hiding veggies in drains: MNS threatens with action

Despite the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) taking action against hawkers in Santa Cruz's Vakola area under H-East Ward for keeping their vegetables and fruit in unhygienic conditions inside storm water drains, Raj Thackeray, Chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has warned that his party workers will take things in their hand if this continues.

Last week, a video of the hawkers hiding vegetables and fruit inside drains during BMC rounds, went viral. The screen grab of the video was then shared by Thackeray on his Facebook account with a warning that his party workers would deal with it in signature MNS style.

Sandeep Deshpande, a senior leader of MNS, said: "The Vakola unit of the party has already met police and civic officials and asked them to stop this practice immediately. And, if both agencies fail to do so, we will take action against such hawkers in our way."

A senior official from H-East Ward said: "We will conduct repeated raids at every place where fruits and vegetables are sold. If they are found hiding their wares inside drains, we will file complaints against them." He added that all officials from the ward have been directed to lodge FIRs against whoever is found guilty of the practice.

Meanwhile, AL Jarhad, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) has also asked all assistant commissioners to check such practice in their jurisdiction and ensure that it stops immediately.