Shillong, Aug 14: The Meghalaya High Court directed the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) to file a report on the number of licenses issued for street vending along with names of the licensees in the Laitumkhrah area.
“The Board is also directed to make an inspection, make an enquiry and state in the report the names and number of the vendors who are vending merchandise without licences in that area. Such report should be filed in this Court by 28th August, 2025,” a division bench of the High Court consisting of Chief Justice, Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh stated in its order.
During the hearing, the Seng Samla Laitumkhrah appealed to the court to include it as a party in the public interest litigation (PIL).
The Seng Samla in its application expressed concern over unlawful or unauthorized vending by hawkers in Laitumkhrah and wants the court to evict unlicensed vendors from the roads and footpaths making them encumbrance free, cleaner, convenient and safe for pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
However, the court stated that for the time being, the Seng Samla Laitumkhrah is allowed to participate in the proceedings by its presence only, without being added as a party.
The court said the question of adding the Seng Samla as a party respondent will be considered on the adjourned date.
Earlier, the Hawkers Association and Advocate for the State opposed the impleadment since the court has already taken cognizance of the malady in all thoroughfares of Shillong and that the scope of the writ covers the entire city.
Additional Advocate General T Yangi B told the court that relocation of street vendors as done in Police Bazar will also be carried out in different parts of the city in a phased manner and rejected additional parties in the PIL. He said this might complicate matters.
