Protest Against Eviction Drive in Shillong

Shillong, July 2: On Tuesday, a demonstration took place outside the Secretariat in Shillong, opposing what the participants described as an unlawful eviction initiative at Khyndailad.

The protest was organized by the Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association, who called for an urgent meeting of the provisional town vending committee (PTVC) to address the identified issues.

According to the hawkers, the eviction actions were executed without proper authorization and targeted vendors who held valid vending certificates.

Angela Rangad, representing the hawkers, claimed that the chairperson of the PTVC, who also serves as the CEO of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), sanctioned the eviction without adhering to the necessary legal procedures.

Rangad emphasized that the hawkers had sought judicial intervention to ensure the enforcement of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, and were collaborating with the PTVC for its implementation.

However, she pointed out that the actions taken by the SMB contradicted the law and could lead to further issues.

The hawkers insisted on an immediate PTVC meeting to resolve these matters and cautioned that improper enforcement of the law could escalate tensions and lead to more complications. They also expressed disappointment with the Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, responsible for the Urban Affairs Department, for not adequately addressing their grievances.