Guwahati: Street vendors protest GMC’s eviction drive across city

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Street Vendors’ Association of Assam (ASVA) has strongly condemned the Guwahati Municipal Corporation’s (GMC) ongoing eviction drives, which aim to remove street-side stalls across the city. The drives, which have been deemed unlawful by ASVA members, are allegedly being carried out without official orders, leaving many vendors without a livelihood.

According to the ASVA member, vendors from Jalukbari, Khanapara, VIP Road, and Kamakhya Gate have already been evicted, despite possessing valid GMC ID cards and PM-SVANidhi loans. The ASVA has accused the GMC of harassing legitimate vendors and failing to rehabilitate displaced ones. With over 25,000 street vendors in Guwahati, the GMC’s inability to resettle even 500 has sparked outrage among the vendor community. The GMC, however, claims that the eviction drives are necessary to clear road space and that vendors were notified in advance to vacate their stalls.

“We have intensified our drive against illegal vendors over the last five days. Similar actions will continue across Guwahati,” the GMC officer said, adding that vendors were notified in advance to vacate their stalls. “Those who ignored the warnings are now facing eviction,” he stated.

 Also Read: Guwahati Traffic Police Launch Drive to Remove Illegal Rickshaws and Street Vendors

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