Siliguri, 24th January: The NJP branch of the All Bengal Trinamool Railways Hawkers Union staged a protest on Saturday against alleged continuous harassment and harassment of vendors at railway stations.
Reportedly, many vendors have been earning their livelihood through hawking on the railways for 40 to 50 years. They allege that the railway administration and the RPF have been repeatedly detaining vendors and filing cases against them, in addition to imposing fines ranging from ₹1,200 to ₹1,500. Despite approaching the railway authorities multiple times, no permanent solution has been provided.
On this day, the protest was held in front of the NJP RPF office to draw attention to these grievances.
Sujay Sarkar, president of the NJP branch of the union, claimed that under pressure from the BJP, the railway administration has been taking strict action against hawkers. He said the livelihoods of hardworking people cannot be taken away and vowed to stand against this injustice.
Sarkar further warned that if the harassment of vendors continues, the union will escalate the matter through a larger movement in the coming days.