Asansol, 26 July (H.S.): A shocking incident occurred at Asansol Railway Station on Saturday, when a hawker, while attempting to evade action by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), fell onto the railway tracks and was hit by a train. The mishap left his foot severely injured, causing widespread tension across the station premises. Following the incident, hawker associations launched protests against the RPF.

According to sources, the injured hawker has been identified as Rahul Singh, who sells biryani at the station to earn a living. On Saturday, while he was engaged in his usual work, RPF personnel allegedly attempted to apprehend him, citing illegal vending. Fearing arrest, Rahul tried to flee and accidentally fell on the railway tracks.

At the same time, the Chennai-Guwahati Express was entering the platform and ran over his foot, severing a portion of it. Rahul was immediately rushed to a local hospital.

Hawker unions accused the RPF of using excessive force and unfairly targeting the poor. They said that hawkers are not criminals but ordinary people trying to support their families by selling goods or food at railway stations.

Hawker organizations have issued a warning that if such crackdowns by the RPF do not stop, they will launch a larger movement. The RPF has not released any official statement on the incident, but they have affirmed that their campaign against illegal hawking will continue.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey