MUMBAI, Nov. 6 -- Two days after Colaba residents warned the BMC that they would set up their own stalls to protest against illegal hawkers, the civic body carried out an eviction drive on Tuesday, removing 67 unauthorised hawkers from Colaba Causeway. The operation, supervised by additional municipal commissioner (city) Dr Ashwini Joshi, aimed to clear unauthorised structures and ensure compliance with civic regulations. Officials said the eviction targeted hawkers who were obstructing pedestrian movement. The A Ward office, which executed the operation, confirmed that similar drives against unauthorised vendors would continue on a regular basis. The move followed demands from local residents, led by former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar, who had given the BMC a deadline of one week to act against encroachments or face protests outside the ward office. "While today's action is a welcome move, it is not sufficient," said Narwekar. "All illegal stalls and encroachments must be permanently removed, and the civic body should ensure daily monitoring to prevent their return." Jaydeep More, assistant commissioner of A Ward, said that the BMC was coordinating with the Colaba police to ensure that the hawkers did not return. Meanwhile, residents' groups from Colaba high-rises are preparing to go ahead with their planned protest this Saturday....