Shillong, Aug 14: The Meghalaya High Court has directed the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) to submit a report on the number of street vendors including those without licenses in the Laitumkhrah area.
The court’s order came in response to an application filed by Seng Samla Laitumkhrah “Ieng Skhem Ha Ka Hok,” a registered society, seeking to be added as a party in a public interest litigation (PIL).
“We direct the Shillong Municipal Board to file a report in this Court with regard to the number of vending licenses issued for the purpose of street vending along with the names of the licencees in the Laitumkhrah area,” the division bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh said in an order passed on Thursday.
“The Board is also directed to make an inspection , make an enquiry and state in the report the names and number of the vendors who are vending merchandise without licences in that area. Such report should be filed in this Court by 28th August, 2025,” it added.
The Seng Samla Laitumkhrah has expressed great concern over unlawful or unauthorised vending by hawkers in the Laitumkhrah area of Shillong.
It wants reach of the orders passed by this Court in clearing some areas of the city of unlicensed hawkers, namely Police Bazar to extend to Laitumkhrah by evicting the unlicensed vendors from the roads and footpaths making them encumbrance free, cleaner, convenient and safe for pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
However, the impleadment of the applicant was opposed by the petitioner Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA) and Advocate for the State on the ground that the Court has in this PIL already taken cognizance of this malady in all the thoroughfares of Shillong. The scope of the writ covers the entire city.
According to Tangi B, Additional Advocate General, the work that has been done by the State agency in the Police Bazar area would be carried forward to other areas also stage by stage.
There is no necessity of further parties and entities being involved in the public interest litigation as that might complicate matters.
The court will consider the question of adding the Seng Samla Laitumkhrah as a party respondent on the adjourned date.
“For the time being, the applicant Seng Samla Laitumkhrah is allowed to participate in the proceedings by its presence only, without being added as a party. The question of its being added as a party respondent will be considered on the adjourned date,” it said.
