Shillong: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ordered an immediate freeze on all state-led hawker eviction drives. The suspension remains in effect until Durga Puja concludes in October. The Chief Minister delivered this news during a meeting at the Nabanna state secretariat with Asit Saha, the head of the Hawkers Joint Action Committee.
Fear gripped local vendors for months. The new administration previously targeted railway stations and various markets for clearances. Many hawkers faced eviction notices and job losses under the recent policy shifts. Now, they finally have breathing room.
Saha confirmed the development after leaving the meeting. "The Chief Minister had assured that, on humanitarian grounds, there will be no hawker eviction till Durga Puja this year."
Adhikari also pledged to negotiate with the Indian Railways Department. He wants a fix for vendors operating on railway land. State officials plan to meet with the Municipal Affairs Department next week to hammer out rehabilitation details. They will discuss formal identity cards and long-term business policies for the state's thousands of street merchants.
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