Shillong (Meghalaya), July 1: The Meghalaya government has initiated a major crackdown on unauthorized street vendors in Shillong’s Khyndailad area, sparking widespread protests. As part of the implementation of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, the authorities have started enforcing the relocation of vendors without valid Certificates of Vending (CoVs).
A total of 1,400 vendors were surveyed across 22 locations in Shillong, with 760 found eligible. In Khyndailad, 457 vendors were surveyed, and 407 were deemed eligible. The authorities have issued 251 CoVs to eligible vendors so far.
The designated vending zones in Khyndailad include the 1st Floor of MUDA Parking Lot, Frontage of MUDA Complex, and SMB Parking Lot opposite SBI Main Branch. The remaining areas of Khyndailad have been declared a “no vending zone” by the government.
Street vendors and hawkers have staged protests against the eviction drive, demanding a fair and transparent relocation process. They claim that the digital survey lacked photographic verification, opening the door to potential misuse of the process. The protesters have demanded an in-situ survey, proper verification of eligible vendors, and a transparent claims-and-objections process before any relocation is carried out.
The authorities have begun enforcing the relocation, with vendors without CoVs being asked to vacate their spaces within three days. Vendors holding valid CoVs have been granted time until July 22 to relocate to designated vending zones. The enforcement exercise has sparked tensions between vendors and municipal officials.
The entire process is being monitored by the Hon’ble High Court, as mandated by Public Interest Litigations (PILs) concerning street vendors and traffic congestion.
