They also demanded that the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) should give identity cards and a place where they could do business peacefully. The members of the National Hawkers Samithi also participated in the programme.

The Gujarat Shramik Hawkers Sangathan (GSHS) members had also organised public meetings on Station road on Sunday evening, to discuss the issues they are facing while doing business. In the meeting, senior Samithi members like Vilas Chatekar, Puna Hawkers Samithi member Sanjay Kamte and others informed other members about the national policy and their rights.

On Monday, the hawkers took out rally from Chowk Bazaar. Later, they accumulated at the SMC office at Muglisara. The representatives met Municipal Commissioner S Aparna and handed over a memorandum of their demands.

GSHS president Ganpat Kale said there are around 45,000 hawkers in Surat city and they are facing two major problems --- they are not treated with respect and the local police.

"The civic officials damage our fruits and vegetables and seize our lorries for no reasons. We get lorry after 21 days and during that time we have no means to earn a living for us. We have demanded that the behaviour of the SMC officials should be gentle and if possible, they should penalise on the spot. If after giving three warnings the hawkers continue violating rules, the officials should take strict action."