Vendor threatens suicide during anti-encroachment drive

A fruit juice vendor climbed a tried to commit suicide during an anti-encroachment drive in Latifabad, Hyderabad, after his stall was demolished.

The took place when the anti-encroachment squads of the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC) reached to carry out an operation near Latifabad Unit No. 8, Siddiq Plaza, and removed or demolished several stalls, including the fruit juice stall of Muhammad Rashid.

Rashid climbed a tree in the nearby Green Belt and threatened to end his life by jumping off the tree, prompting the authorities to call in the police and the rescue team. Rashid chanted slogans and threatened to jump off the tree, draw the attention of the crowd of onlookers. However, after negotiations with DSP Latifabad Haji Masood Ibrahim, UC Chairman Muzaffar Siddiqui, and local residents, Rashid agreed to come down. He claimed that he had been selling fruit juice for years. He mentioned that his stall was targeted because he could not grease the palms of corrupt officials who regularly come and collect money from vendors. He mentioned that his fruit juice stall was the only source to earn a living for his children.