Shillong: The state government plans to clear roadside vendors from Laitumkhrah starting Monday. This move follows a timeline set by the High Court after a public interest litigation. Police expect resistance. Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed that his force has made elaborate preparations to ensure the relocation proceeds smoothly. They will deploy additional personnel if necessary.
The Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association has spent over a week protesting at the Shillong Municipal Board office. They claim the process violates the Street Vendors Act of 2014. According to the association, over 60 eligible vendors still lack Certificates of Vending. General secretary Shane Thabah argues that authorities wrongly labeled long-standing sellers as non-genuine without proper verification.
Vendors refuse to move. They argue that relocating from the busy Laitumkhrah stretch will destroy their customer base. They also oppose the de-notification of vending zones at Lyndhurst Estate, Fire Brigade, and the DHS office. These spots were previously agreed upon through consultations with Dorbar Shnongs. Hawkers now call the proposed Brightwell Bungalow site an economic jungle with almost no footfall.
State officials intend to move vendors who hold valid certificates to the Dhankheti parking lot and the Brightwell Bungalow compound. All stalls will be assigned through a trade-wise draw of lots. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma recently addressed the tension, noting there is no “perfect solution” to the problem. He urged stakeholders to balance the need for clear roads and pedestrian safety with the livelihoods of local vendors.
Updated at 17th August 2026 at 6:00pm
The eviction drive concluded on Monday with the removal of 86 roadside vendors from the Laitumkhrah area. Shillong Municipal Board CEO K.C. Boro reported that the process went off without a hitch, noting that the hawkers complied with the order and cooperated with officials during the transition to the SMB parking lot in Dhankheti and the Brightwell Bungalow site.
Local Dorbar Shnong members and various organizations stood by to monitor the site during the operation. To soften the blow of the transition, the government is rolling out financial assistance. During an inspection of the new Polo Vendors Market on August 12, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma handed out cheques under the Chief Minister’s Urban Livelihood Grant. Vendors with valid certificates are eligible for 20,000 rupees in aid, consisting of an initial 10,000 rupee payment followed by 2,000 rupees monthly for five months.
Updated at 18th August 2026 at 1:47am
East Shillong MLA M. Ampareen Lyngdoh joined local Dorbar Shnong members and officials on the ground to oversee the transition. The operation, which aimed to unclog the congested Laitumkhrah corridor, concluded on Monday without reports of unrest or defiance from the displaced sellers.
Updated at 18th August 2026 at 1:50pm
The Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association is not backing down. General secretary Shane Thabah signaled that the group will challenge the exclusion of roughly 150 long-term vendors by taking their case to the Provisional Town Vending Committee. They contend the government failed to conduct an in-situ survey to identify legitimate sellers before rushing the evictions.
For those caught in the shuffle, the future remains dicey. While some hawkers accepted their new spots, others fear the lack of foot traffic will kill their business. One vendor who has operated since 2004 said he is grateful for a designated space but worried about surviving, while another veteran seller admitted she might just keep vending from her vehicle to make ends meet. Meanwhile, BJP MLA A.L. Hek pushed for a different long-term fix: moving these traders into the Laitumkhrah Municipal Market, a project already greenlit but yet to materialize.
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