Shillong: The Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA) has strongly criticised cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh for accusing the group’s leadership of obstructing the relocation of vendors with ulterior motives.
The association dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated, warning that it may pursue legal action if the minister fails to provide evidence.
In a sharp rebuttal, the association called Lyngdoh’s remarks “shameful” and pointed to his own tenure as a former Urban Affairs Minister, during which, they claim, he took no steps to resolve the longstanding issues faced by hawkers.
“It is typical of career politicians like him to make such remarks, but this is not something we will take lightly,” the association said.
Highlighting its own contributions, MGSPHSVA said it was instrumental in pushing for the implementation of the central law on street vending in Meghalaya, following a protracted legal struggle that lasted seven years.
The group added that it has consistently worked towards ensuring that the law is implemented both fairly and transparently.
According to MGSPHSVA general secretary Shane Thabah, the current licensing process has been marred by irregularities.
He alleged that licenses are being handed out arbitrarily to ineligible individuals, while genuine hawkers are being left out.
Thabah also described the recent eviction drives as “illegal” and claimed they created unnecessary disruption in the Khyndailad area, where even registered vendors were reportedly targeted.
Thabah noted that while the association had agreed to a phased approach for issuing vending certificates, no consensus was ever reached on the July 22 relocation deadline being pushed by authorities.
He argued that vendors are willing to shift—provided there is proper planning and infrastructure in place—adding that flaws in the current process risk making the situation worse.
The association also raised concerns about the accuracy of official data regarding vendors and their eligibility for relocation, asserting that the survey process remains incomplete.
It said ongoing discussions within the Provisional Town Vending Committee (PTVC) have yet to resolve key issues such as infrastructure readiness and promised government support for those being relocated.
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Labeling the government’s claims as “false and misleading,” MGSPHSVA reiterated that the existing relocation infrastructure is far from ready and accused the authorities of using the process as a pretext for potential corruption.
The association further condemned what it called the deliberate disruption of hawkers’ livelihoods through heavy-handed tactics, including the strategic parking of municipal vehicles in key vending areas and the use of threats and intimidation by officials.
It vowed to continue its advocacy for full and fair implementation of the Street Vendors Act, undeterred by what it described as ongoing harassment.
