In a key ruling, the Meghalaya High Court has imposed strict regulations on hawking activities in the bustling Police Bazaar area of Shillong, allowing only licensed vendors to operate within specific time slots.
The directive was issued by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh following a plea by the hawkers’ association, which alleged misuse of a previous court order leading to the forceful eviction of street vendors.
According to the court’s latest order, vendors holding valid licenses will be permitted to operate only during two time windows daily — from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM and again from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Currently, 349 vendors are officially licensed to operate in the Police Bazaar zone.
The court emphasized that vendors must strictly adhere to these limited hours and vacate the area outside of these slots to avoid obstructing traffic or pedestrian movement. Any violation of the prescribed schedule may result in serious consequences, including a ban on further vending.
To ensure the smooth enforcement of the order, the High Court has appointed Senior Advocate Subhasis Chakravarty as a Special Officer. He has been tasked with overseeing the implementation of the court’s instructions and will receive a remuneration of ₹75,000 from the State Government by July 11.
The bench also directed the general secretary of the hawkers’ association to submit an undertaking ensuring that all vendors will comply with the new time limits. Furthermore, the vendors are required to vacate the current space once the Government provides an alternative vending site.
The Government’s legal representative informed the court that although an alternate vending zone has been earmarked, the hawkers have shown reluctance to shift. In response, the court clarified that hawkers without licenses may still apply to the appropriate authority to regularize their vending rights.
This decision is seen as a balancing act by the judiciary — attempting to protect the rights of hawkers while maintaining order, accessibility, and safety in one of Shillong’s busiest commercial hubs.
