Raphael Warjri

Street vendors under the banner of the Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA) held a demonstration outside the Secretariat on Tuesday, strongly protesting what they described as illegal evictions carried out at Khyndailad.

The vendors have demanded that the government immediately convene a meeting of the Provisional Town Vending Committee (PTVC) to address the situation, which they claim has led to unnecessary harassment, even of those in possession of valid Certificates of Vending.

The protest received support from the civil society group Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR). Speaking to the media, TUR leader Angela Rangad alleged that the eviction drive was conducted without following legal procedures. She pointed out that the CEO of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), who also serves as the PTVC Chairperson, had overstepped his mandate by authorising the eviction without due consultation.

Rangad further informed that the affected vendors had moved court, seeking enforcement of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. She maintained that the SMB’s actions were in clear violation of the Act and warned that such moves could escalate tensions on the ground.

The association has issued a strong appeal to the authorities to hold the PTVC meeting without delay. They cautioned that failure to implement the Act in letter and spirit could lead to further unrest and disrupt livelihoods.

The protesters also criticised Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, who holds the Urban Affairs portfolio, for not responding to their grievances. Rangad said the Deputy CM should immediately review all related documents to understand the legality of the eviction and convene the PTVC meeting to resolve the issue.