Dorbar Shnong convinces vendors to shift; Hek promises permanent space
SHILLONG: At a time when the district administration and the hawkers in the city are at loggerheads over eviction, the Rangbah Shnong of Golf Links, with the help of A.L Hek, has reached a peaceful agreement with street vendors in the locality.
During a meeting on Thursday that was attended by local MLA Hek and other stakeholders, the Dorbar Shnong decided to shift the hawkers from the roads and footpaths in the Golf Links area to ease traffic congestion and make way for pedestrians.
This is the first of its kind initiative where hawkers were convinced to move peacefully. Headman J.B. Lyngdoh, who chaired the meeting on Thursday, urged the hawkers to shift to a temporary space near Golf links to ensure cleanliness of the locality as well as to avoid accidents.
Hek asked the vendors to comply with the High Court directions and co-operate with the Dorbar Shnong and government authorities.
The hawkers would be permanently shifted to a shopping complex that is being constructed near the market. Around 50 hawkers will be shifted to the shopping complex once it is complete. The move, which was welcomed by the hawkers, set a precedent amid the chaos over the hawkers’ eviction drive across the city and was lauded by all.
Appreciating the Dorbar Shnong, East Khasi Hills Magistrate R. Wahlang appealed to the traditional body to work towards the goal of making Golf Links garbage-free. SP (Traffic) N.K Syiem too praised the peaceful approach.
The hawkers from Golf Links expressed gratitude to the local MLA and resolved to work in tandem with the government and the Dorbar Shnong to make Golf Links clean. After the meeting, Hek, the members of the Dorbar Shnong, the hawkers and senior government officers inspected the ground floor of the complex where the hawkers will be rehabilitated.
