The Meghalaya High Court has intervened in the ongoing eviction drive of hawkers in the Khyndailad (Police Bazar) area, directing the local and police authorities to follow due process of law. The hawkers’ association had moved an application alleging forced eviction without providing alternative vending space. In its order passed after hearing a PIL on Thursday, the division bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh appointed Senior Advocate Subhasis Chakrawarty as Special Officer to oversee the implementation of its directions.
“Above all, the Special Officer with his vast knowledge, experience, maturity and tact shall ensure that our orders in this public interest litigation are implemented without any breach of peace or commission of any offence,” it said. The bench also directed the Special Officer to prepare a list of authorized and licensed vendors, stated to be around 349, in consultation with the Hawkers’ Association and local authorities.
The court directed that licensed vendors will be allowed to vend merchandise in the Police Bazar area for limited hours (12:30 pm to 2 pm and 7:30 pm to 9 pm), subject to their undertaking not to exceed the time limit and disrupt traffic flow or human movement. Unlicensed vendors will not be allowed to sell goods in the area.