Meghalaya High Court Ensures Lawful Eviction for Shillong Vendors

Shillong, Jul 4: The Meghalaya High Court has stepped in to ensure a smooth and lawful eviction process for street vendors in the Khyndailad area, appointing senior advocate Subhasis Chakrawarty as a special officer. His role is to oversee the eviction and ensure that it aligns with legal protocols, maintaining peace during the operation.

Khyndailad, frequently called Police Bazar, is a bustling hub in Meghalaya's capital, home to numerous hotels, restaurants, and shops, making it a popular local destination.

The intervention by the court came during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) initiated by a hawkers' association, which complained that vendors were being forced out without being provided with alternative vending spaces. Responding to these concerns, the division bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh appointed Chakrawarty, who is tasked with supervising the eviction, compiling a verified list of licensed vendors, and liaising between the Shillong Roadside Hawkers Association and local authorities.

"Above all, the Special Officer, with his vast knowledge, experience, maturity, and tact, shall ensure that our orders in this public interest litigation are implemented without any breach of peace or commission of any offence," stated the Bench.

Meanwhile, the court has granted licensed vendors permission to operate in Police Bazar but only during restricted hours: from 12:30 pm to 2 pm and from 7:30 pm to 9 pm. This arrangement is conditional upon strict adherence to rules ensuring they do not obstruct traffic or pedestrian flow. Unlicensed vendors, however, are prohibited from operating in the area.

The bench was clear in its directives: "If there is any breach, the special officer along with local and police authorities shall disallow vending in the area." Vendors have been assured that they will be moved to alternative zones once these are designated by the authorities.

The court stated non-compliant vendors would face immediate eviction and encouraged those seeking vending licenses to apply. It assured the hawkers that applications would be scrutinized lawfully in future sessions based on reports and evaluations from relevant authorities.

As part of the relocation plan, the state government has pinpointed three locations for vending activities and has offered each hawker Rs 20,000 as a relocation allowance. The special officer is set to provide a compliance report by August 5.

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