Correspondent
Shillong: Tension flared outside the Meghalaya Secretariat as members of the Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA), backed by Thma U Rangli Juki, staged a protest against the alleged illegal eviction drive carried out at Khyndailad. The hawkers claimed the eviction was unlawful and arbitrary, targeting even those with valid vending certificates.
Angela Rangad, speaking on behalf of the aggrieved vendors, alleged that the drive was ordered unilaterally by the Provisional Town Vending Committee (PTVC) chairperson—who also serves as the CEO of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB)—without following due process as mandated by the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.
“The SMB’s action is not only illegal but dangerous,” Rangad said. “We had gone to court and were working with the PTVC to implement the law, but this eviction violates the very spirit of that process.”
The protesting hawkers have demanded an emergency PTVC meeting to address the situation and warned that if the provisions of the Act are not properly implemented, the fallout will only escalate.
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