The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s T ward launched a crackdown on hawkers encroaching footpaths and roads in Mulund on Wednesday, a day after clashes broke out between residents and hawkers over illegal occupation of public spaces.

The BMC removed more than 50 hawkers from the Mulund market area and nearby arterial roads. On Tuesday, two separate altercations took place between locals and hawkers over encroachments on RRT Road, Ganesh Gawde Road and Walji Raja Road. Residents alleged they were verbally abused and threatened when they objected, prompting two police complaints from citizens who say they have been raising the issue for over two years.