Hawkers on the Srivarimettu trekking route staging a protest along with their family members, in Tirupati on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: K.V. Poornachandra Kumar
Hawkers on the Tirumala Srivarimettu trekking route staged a demonstration along with their family members here on Sunday, demanding a fair deal from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) management.
As their relay hunger strike entered the 300th day, they decided to build pressure by roping in their family members. From boys aged 10 to senior citizens, the camp had protesters of varying age groups.
During the YSRC dispensation, the 32 hawkers, who had been eking out a livelihood by selling sundry items and eatables to the trekking devout, lost their livelihood when they, along with those on the Alipiri route, were prevented from moving around due to the movement of leopards.
While those on the Alipiri route were restored, the Srivarimettu route hawkers were not allowed as they reportedly had no licence.
CITU secretary K. Murali said the hawkers expected glad tidings after the change of regime, but nothing happened. Leaders from the Congress, the Left parties, and the Republican Party of India expressed solidarity with the protesters.
Published – June 15, 2025 07:44 pm IST
