The Shillong hawkers protest has intensified in Police Bazar, the city’s busiest commercial zone. On July 1, hundreds of street vendors rallied against the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) after it launched a sudden eviction drive. These hawkers, many of whom hold valid Certificates of Vending (COV), are demanding a fair relocation plan before the July 22 deadline.
This protest highlights not only the vendors’ struggle for survival but also growing concerns over urban development policies that ignore legal safeguards.
Why the Shillong Hawkers Protest Is Gaining Momentum
The SMB claims its eviction drive aims to ease traffic congestion and promote a cleaner, pedestrian-friendly market. However, hawkers say this has come at the cost of their livelihoods. According to the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, no vendor can be removed without a survey and the approval of a Town Vending Committee (TVC).
Currently, Shillong has only a provisional TVC. Vendors argue that it lacks representation and legal authority. Many affected hawkers say the government evicted them without prior notice or proper consultation.
Demands Made During the Shillong Hawkers Protest
Hawkers Push for a Transparent Relocation Policy
During the rally outside the Secretariat, leaders of the Meghalaya & Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA) presented clear demands:
- Stop the eviction until the formation of a legitimate TVC
- Include vendor representatives in all decision-making processes
- Provide basic amenities—water, toilets, waste bins—at any new site
- Ensure transparency and public consultation for any relocation plan
Angela Rangad, a spokesperson for the MGSPHSVA, said, “We’re not opposing development. We’re opposing injustice.”
The Government’s Stand on the Shillong Eviction
The SMB maintains that vendors had ample notice and insists that those with COVs can relocate to the MUDA Commercial Complex. Authorities have also warned shopkeepers not to extend their displays onto sidewalks.
While the government defends its actions as legal and necessary, critics argue it failed to coordinate with hawkers. Additionally, many vendors claim the MUDA space is overcrowded and lacks sanitation, ventilation, and storage.
Legal Issues Behind the Shillong Hawkers Eviction
The Street Vendors Act, 2014 lays out a vendor-friendly framework. However, Shillong’s implementation appears inconsistent. Experts argue that evictions without a functional TVC, public consultations, or written relocation plans violate the Act.
This raises the question: Is the eviction legal—or merely politically convenient?
To understand your rights or to support local hawkers, check out NASVI’s official guide on vendor rights.
A Way Forward: Solving the Shillong Hawkers Protest
Both the state government and hawkers must work together. Here’s a realistic five-point plan:
- Pause the eviction to prevent further unrest
- Form a legitimate TVC with fair representation
- Upgrade the MUDA complex with essential services
- Conduct a transparent survey to certify all vendors
- Create inclusive urban planning that considers informal economies
This approach ensures development without destroying livelihoods.
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The Shillong hawkers protest is about more than space—it’s about dignity, legality, and survival. Let’s support a just and inclusive city.