Shillong, Nov 22: Hawkers and street vendors, who are carrying out their businesses along the stretch from Motphran to Khyndailad area, on Friday took out a protest march to the office of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) to oppose the government’s move to relocate them.

Speaking to reporters, President of the Meghalaya & Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA), Biolin Pyrtuh, said that the delegation met SMB executive engineer, FB Chyne, to seek clarification on the statement made by the Tourism Minister, Paul Lyngdoh, that the government is all set to relocate the hawkers and street vendors, operating along the stretch from Motphran to Khyndailad by November 24.

“The minister had made the statement despite knowing fully well that there is a committee, which has been constituted to look into this matter and hawkers and street vendors are also members of this committee. We also want him to know that if he (Paul) wants to become a hawker, he is welcome to do so. We would be happy to make space for him,” she said.

Stating that hawkers too are aware of the law, Pyrtuh said that the minister should have refrained from making irresponsible statements because he has not been able to address their issues.

“Therefore, hawkers should not have any fear but to trust us who are members of the committee as we will decide on the location for vending. We appeal to all hawkers to go back and continue with your livelihood activities,” she added.

The minister had informed that the process of rehabilitating over 200 hawkers and street vendors will be completed very soon as part of the government’s endeavour to make Khyndailad a pedestrian zone and accordingly, three spaces at Khyndailad area have been identified for the rehabilitation of the street vendors which include buildings of the MTC and the MUDA.

On this, the president of the association said the SMB has informed that it is unaware of such a move by the government and that it has no knowledge about the 200 hawkers mentioned by the minister. “But the minister had claimed that we will be relocated by November 24, which also happens to fall on a Sunday. Moreover, the SMB also has no knowledge about the 200 hawkers, maybe they are relatives of Paul Lyngdoh, that we don’t know,” she stated.

Pyrtuh further informed that there are over 5,000 hawkers and street vendors, who are registered with the association.

Read: Meghalaya HC to review NEHU situation on Dec 6

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