Shillong, June 30: Several FIRs were lodged against eviction of hawkers from Khyndailad( Police Bazar), on Monday.
Earlier in the day, the Shillong Municipal Board personnel carried out eviction amid protests from the hawkers.
As the government plans complete relocation of hawkers to the area in MUDA complex provided by the government, the matter will come up for hearing in the High Court of Meghalaya on July 3.
Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA) chief Angela Rangad told reporters that the action of eviction was not endorsed by the town vending committee as the move of the government was eviction not relocation.
Angela said the goods of hawkers worth Rs 35,000 to 50,000 were also taken away though they had certificates. No seizure list or receipts were made available.
After the eviction of hawkers, four members of the provisional town vending committee , including Angela, went to Sadar Police Station here and filed the FIRs.
“We were part of in-situ survey, we made claims and raised objections, we were part of issuing certificates of vending but some certificates were given to people who were not supposed to get , so we protested , that is why we had to boycott the metting of the commitee twice-June 9 & 23”, Angela said.
According to Angela, the hawkers agreed that after re-checking, and verification they will move to the road side level parking area of MUDA.
She reminded that it was the hawkers who brought the street vending law and not the state government.
Without this law, you cannot regulate street vending, she said.
Hawkers not reason for congestion
Angela said hawkers are not the reason for congestion as there is a failed public transport system.
“There are no buses, everyone wants to take out a new car , it is the private cars that are congesting the roads . Every road has become one way because, the cars of the rich are parked on the road and they are the ones who violate the law besides those who are carrying out illegal construction of buildings which encroach into the road, but the law is not going after the rich because it is easy to go after the poor . We have to remember that it is the poor and the marginalised who are upholding the law”, she asserted.
