Evicted street vendors meet DC, seek rehab

Mangaluru: Street vendors evicted by the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) during a recent drive, including those from Sunday Bazaar, met deputy commissioner Darshan HV Friday seeking rehabilitation.They urged the DC to protect their livelihood and provide alternative arrangements. CITU district general secretary Sunil Kumar Bajal said the DC responded positively and assured help after hearing their grievances.He told representatives of the Street Vendors’ Association that he would examine three suitable locations if identified by them. Dakshina Kannada District Street Vendors’ Association honorary president BK Imthiyaz said vendors chose to meet the DC directly and submit a collective petition as protests are not permitted outside his office.Over 100 vendors entered Praja Soudha and waited in an orderly queue. Informed by his staff, the DC stepped out of his meetings, heard their grievances and accepted the petition.The MCC drive had earlier seen heated exchanges between vendors and officials, with police taking nine persons, including vendors and CITU leaders, into custody near Lady Goschen Hospital.