Shillong, Aug 17: The Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) on Monday dismantled roadside shops in Laitumkhrah in the presence of police, as the state government enforced its August 17 deadline to clear unauthorised street hawkers from footpaths and roadways in Laitumkhrah and other key corridors in the city.
Around 86 hawkers were evicted during the drive. Verified vendors are being relocated to designated new vending zones at Dhankheti Parking Lot and Brightwell Bungalow in Barik.
The eviction comes after several days of protest by hawkers near the office of the SMB, where they had demanded a halt to the drive and alternate arrangements before removal.
The Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association accused the government of sidelining genuine hawkers and violating the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.
The association claimed that more than 60 genuine roadside vendors are yet to receive their Certificates of Vending (COVs), putting their livelihoods at risk.
The operation went off smoothly. Local MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh and SMB Chief Executive Officer PK Boro were present at the site.
In the morning, hawkers who owned stalls in the area gathered but stood as spectators while SMB staff dismantled the shops. Members of the Laitumkhrah Dorbar Shnong and Seng Kynthei also arrived at the scene soon after the eviction drive started.
