Lucknow witnessed the release of seven Kashmiri dry fruit vendors on Monday, following the timely intervention of Syed Mehfuzurrahman Faizy, Vice President of APCR UP West Chapter. Faizy facilitated their release by providing a personal bond and successfully aided in the retrieval of confiscated goods from the police.
The vendors had been apprehended on Sunday during an anti-encroachment drive at Samta Mulak Chauraha in Gomti Nagar, conducted by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation. This area had been marked as a no-vending zone, and despite the clashes between the vendors and municipal officials during the drive, Faizy’s intervention played a pivotal role in securing their release.
Nadeem Faiq from APCR Delhi expressed his distress over the incident, deeming it unfortunate and emphasizing the need to prevent such occurrences. He urged those responsible for maintaining law and order to refrain from unwarranted harassment and recognize accountability avenues.
The seven arrested individuals, Faizan Mohammad, Yawar Ahmed, Waseem Ahmed, Ashiq Hussain, Rauf Nazeer, Amir Ahmed, and Idrees Ahmed, all residents of Kulgam, Kashmir, were detained under Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
A viral video on social media captured a policeman slapping a vendor while others were rounded up and placed in a police van. In response, APCR issued a statement on Monday, affirming its commitment to justice and advocating for a fair and equitable society.