MUMBAI, AUG 27: This was a demonstration with a difference. Nearly 60 agitated hawkers brought along with them the body of a shopkeeper who died during a BMC demolition drive and held a protest near officer-on-special duty G R Khairnar's residence at Shivaji Park this evening. The protestors wanted to gherao Khairnar's house but were stopped by police outside the mayor's bungalow, near which Khairnar home is situated.The hawkers were angry because one Mohanprasad Gupta fell victim during the BMC's demolition drive at Vakola, Santacruz (E), on Saturday evening. Gupta, a small-time businessman, died in a stampede after Khairnar's men began clearing the pavement at Vakola.Though it is still not clear how Gupta died, it is believed that he fell into a ditch while trying to flee from the municipal authorities and the police escorting the demolition team.Eyewitnesses said the hawkers, who held Khairnar responsible for the death, brought Gupta's body in an ambulance at around 3.30 pm and were planning to stage a demonstration outside Khairnar's residence. However, police were informed and the demonstrators stopped near the mayor's bungalow at Caddel Road, Shivaji Park. The demonstrators dispersed at 6 pm.Sources said Khairnar was not at home at the time the hawkers tried to reach there.
