Shillong, July 14: Special Officer appointed by the Meghalaya High Court has advised the district administration of East Khasi Hills against carrying out an eviction drive against hawkers at Khyndailad.
Senior advocate Subhasis Chakrawarty, in a letter to the Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah, cited the High Court’s order dated July 3, which directed the preparation of a list of authorized or licensed vendors in consultation with the Hawkers’ Association and local authorities.
The list, as per the High Court’s direction, has not been prepared yet, leaving the status of street hawkers in the area undetermined.
The Special Officer argued that any eviction drive at this stage would be a clear violation of the High Court’s order.
In light of this, the Special Officer has advised the Deputy Commissioner to refrain from carrying out the eviction drive until the High Court’s directions are complied with.
“This direction of the High Court has not yet been complied with and therefore the question of who are the un-licensed street hawkers at Khyndailad area remained undetermined. As such if any eviction drive is carried out at this stage, then this will be a clear violation of the High Court’s said order. So, it is advised that such eviction drive may not be carried out at this stage,” Chakrawarty said while responding to the DC’s letter dated July 8 addressed to the chief executive officer (CEO), Shillong Municipal Board (SMB).
In its order passed on July 3, the High Court had stated: “(ii) Under the Special Officer and in consultation with the General Secretary, Hawkers’ Association, the local and police authorities will prepare a list of authorised or licensed vendors which are stated to be around 349.”
The court had directed that licensed vendors will be allowed to vend merchandise in the Police Bazar area for limited hours (12:30 pm to 2 pm and 7:30 pm to 9 pm), subject to their undertaking not to exceed the time limit and disrupt traffic flow or human movement. Unlicensed vendors will not be allowed to sell goods in the area.
The court had also directed that hawkers will shift to alternative vending areas once provided by the local authority, and other hawkers can apply for valid licenses.
The Special Officer has been directed to ensure peaceful implementation of the court’s orders and submit a report by August 5, 2025.
