Traders protest against Hima Mylliem's decision

FROM OUR REPORTER

SHILLONG, May 11: Hundreds of traders and vendors from Iewduh (Bara Bazar) market on Wednesday marched to the office of Hima Mylliem at Mawkhar in protest against the decision taken by the Hima asking them not to encroach into public space.

The decision was taken after an inspection of Iewduh by the new Executive Committee (EC) of the Hima under the leadership of Acting Syiem Ricky Nelson Syiem along with his Myntris (ministers) on Tuesday.

Speaking to newsmen here on Wednesday, Myntri in-charge Fince, Baswell Nongneng Shanpru said, “The intention of the Hima is not to stop anyone from carrying out their business.  However, after the inspection we feel it was necessary to enlighten the hawkers that they should have some decency not to occupy the space to the extent that people cannot even pass through, which has also resulted in extreme pollution.”

Sending a strong message to the vendor, Shanpru said the EC is firm on their decision not to allow the street vendors to encroached or occupy public space which may cause congestion in the market and if the vendors fail to comply with the directive of the EC then the Hima will be forced to remove them.

Justifying the decision taken by the EC, Myntri Incharge Judicial, J Nongkhlaw stated that they did not come up with the decision for any vested interest but because they have been receiving thousands of complaints from the people.

He informed that a tax of Rs. 10 per day is charged from the street vendors at Iewduh. Nongkhlaw also urged the vendors for cooperation and not to encroach or take up too much public space to avoid congestion in the market.

When asked on the NOC issued by the previous EC for the construction of a Gurudawara at Them Metor, he said, “As of now we are searching for all the documents and files since it has only been two weeks we have taken charge as the new EC, but sadly most of the documents and files are missing.”

He, however, said that most of the documents relating to the lands bought by church bodies at Mawpat are also not there and even the NOC for the Gurudawara was also issued by former Syiem, Latho Manik Syiem without the consent and approval of the Dorbar of Hima Mylliem.