Azad Maidan police detained a hawker for allegedly trying to end his life at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s headquarters on Thursday. The hawker was later let off.
The police said that Mangesh Laxman Suryavanshi, president of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hawkers’ Union, was protesting with other hawkers. He entered the BMC headquarters and headed to the terrace, but civic officials stopped him and handed him over to the police.
The protesters had threatened mass suicide if their demands were not fulfilled. The union has been demanding the redevelopment of Hingwala market in Ghatkopar and a talent development system for the Matang community.
Suicide prevention helplines:
I Call. Telephone: 022-25521111, 8a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Saturday, Email: icall@tiss.edu. Aasra. Telephone: 022-275466669, available 24 hours, Monday to Sunday. Email: aasrahelpline@yahoo.com.Sahai. Telephone: 080-25497777, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Email: sahaihelpline@gmail.com.