Shillong: The eviction of street vendors in Khyndailad has been put on hold following an advisory issued by a Special Officer appointed by the Meghalaya High Court, urging East Khasi Hills authorities to postpone any enforcement action until the court’s directives are fully implemented.
In a formal response to a July 8 letter from East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah to the Shillong Municipal Board’s CEO, the Special Officer, senior advocate Subhasis Chakrawarty, highlighted that the High Court’s July 3 order mandated the preparation of a list of authorised or licensed hawkers in coordination with the Hawkers’ Association and local authorities.
As this list has yet to be compiled, the legal status of vendors in the area remains unresolved.
Chakrawarty cautioned that proceeding with any eviction at this stage would go against the court’s instructions.
He noted that identifying unlicensed vendors was not possible until the list of approved hawkers was finalised, and any enforcement now would risk violating the court’s directive.
The High Court, in its order earlier this month, specified that vendors officially recognised through this upcoming list would be allowed to operate during designated hours—12:30 pm to 2 pm and 7:30 pm to 9 pm—on the condition they do not disrupt traffic or pedestrian movement. Vendors without valid licenses would not be permitted to trade in the area.
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The court also clarified that licensed hawkers must shift to alternate vending sites once made available, and those currently unlicensed may apply for permits through proper channels.
The Special Officer has been entrusted with overseeing the execution of the court’s directives and is expected to submit a progress report by August 5, 2025.
Until the list is prepared and the court’s directions are met, the eviction process has effectively been halted.
