Put-upon people hugged at centre (8,6)

I believe the answer is:

squeezed middle

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'put-upon people' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't tell whether it can be defined by this definition.

'hugged at centre' is the wordplay.
'hugged' becomes 'squeezed' ('squeeze' can be a synonym of 'hug').
'at' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'centre' becomes 'middle' (synonyms).
'squeezed'+'middle'='SQUEEZED MIDDLE'

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I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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