Shillong Hawkers Slam Eviction Drive, Urge Emergency Meeting to Uphold Street Vendors Act

Shillong, July 1: Members of the Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA) staged a protest on Tuesday in front of the secretariat against the alleged illegal eviction drive at Khyndailad and demanded an emergency meeting of the provisional town vending committee (PTVC) to rectify the flaws.

The protesting hawkers, supported by Thma U Rangli Juki, alleged that the eviction drive was unilateral and illegal, as it targeted vendors who had certificates of vending.

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Angela Rangad, speaking on behalf of the hawkers, stated that the PTVC chairperson, who is also the CEO of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), authorized the eviction drive without following due process.

Rangad emphasized that the hawkers had gone to court demanding implementation of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 and were working with the PTVC to implement the law.

However, the SMB’s actions were contrary to the law and would create more complications.

The hawkers demanded an emergency meeting of the PTVC to address the issues and warned that if the law is not implemented properly, it will be more dangerous and bring further complications. They also criticized the deputy Chief minister, who is in charge of urban affairs, for not taking their concerns seriously.

“We have demanded that he summon the files so that he understands where the process is at the moment and understands why yesterday’s action was illegal. We are also demanding that there should be an emergency PTVC meeting,” Rangad said.

Rangad also alleged that the SMB’s action was a show to mislead the Meghalaya High Court, which is set to hear a petition on July 3.

“I am telling you it is very obvious why they are doing this. They want to create a spectacle, they know the media will cover it, and they will use this as a response to the petition in court. I am certain the court will not be misled because this is all a show just to claim that they have taken some action. But the actions are illegal as per the law. I am sure the court will not condone this,” she said.

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The hawkers have threatened to intensify their protest if their demands are not met. “If PTVC doesn’t straighten out these issues, we will have to continue to protest because we will not allow for an illegal implementation of the law. You cannot misinterpret the law. That is our stand,” Rangad further stated.

(Newmai News Network)