Shillong: The Meghalaya High Court has intervened in the ongoing eviction drive of hawkers in the Khyndailad (Police Bazar) area, directing local and police authorities to strictly follow due process of law.

The intervention came after the hawkers' association filed an application alleging forced evictions without provision of alternative vending space.

In its order passed today while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), a division bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh appointed Senior Advocate Subhasis Chakrawarty as Special Officer to oversee the implementation of the court’s 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,” the court stated.

The bench directed the Special Officer to prepare a list of authorized and licensed vendors—reported to be around 349 in consultation with the hawkers’ association and local authorities.

Licensed vendors will be allowed to vend in the Police Bazar area during limited hours: 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. This is subject to an undertaking not to exceed the permitted time or disrupt traffic or pedestrian movement. Unlicensed vendors will not be permitted to sell in the area.

“If there is breach, then the Special Officer along with the local and police authorities shall not allow any vendor to sell merchandise in the said area,” the order stated.

It further added, “The General Secretary of the Association also undertakes to this Court and shall ensure that as and when the alternative vending place is provided by the local authority to any vendor, he will immediately shift. If he does not, then he shall be liable to be evicted from the place of vending immediately.”

The court further directed that hawkers must shift to designated vending zones once they are made available by the local authority. Other hawkers may apply for valid licenses, which will be considered as per the law.

“Other hawkers shall be free to make applications before the appropriate authorities to obtain a valid licence, which may be considered by those authorities in accordance with law. On obtaining a report from those authorities regarding those applications, this Court will consider taking further action regarding them,” the court added.

The Special Officer has been tasked with ensuring peaceful implementation of the orders and must submit a report to the court by August 5, 2025.