Editor,
With a population of over six lakh, Shillong today is overcrowded. The hawkers and vendors aggravate the crowded scenario. If we make a proper survey right from Laitkor, Mawblei, Madanrting, Happy Valley, Demthring, Nongthymmai down to Pohkseh, Rynjah, Lapalang, Nongrah, Umpling down to Nongrim Hills, Jingkieng, Fire Brigade, Motinagar, Risa Colony, Malki, the whole of Laitumkhrah, Dhankheti, the whole of Lachumiere, Barik, the whole of Laban, Red Cross, Civil Hospital area, Keatinge Road, Secretariat Hill and its periphery, the areas under SBI, Shillong Club, Ward’s Lake, the areas near Assembly Secretariat and Crowborough, the whole of Police Bazar, Bivar Road, the whole of Polo areas, the whole of Maccabe Road, Demseiniong, Nongmynsong, Pynthorumkhrah, part of Golf Links, the whole of Mawlai Town including Mawiong, Lawmali, the whole of Jaiaw, Mawkhar, Wahingdoh, Umsohsun, Riatsamthiah, Mission Compound, Wahthapbru, Motphran, the whole length of Mahatma Gandhi road and Tirot Sing Road,Them Metor (Harijan colony), Mawlong Hat, the Anjalee complex, the whole of Iewduh and its periphery, Quallapatty, Stand Jeep, Garikhana, the whole of Mawprem, Lumsohphoh, Luckier Road and the periphery of the Cantonment Areas, are taken over by hawkers and vendors. Only the Upper Shillong side is comparatively free from hawkers but even here there are signs of invasion by hawkers in some pockets.
Hawkers and vendors have every right to thrive and survive, and we are not against them for many of us derive some benefits from them but the problem starts when they invade the main roads which are the thoroughfares for vehicles and the footpaths which are for the use of pedestrians. It is here that they become a menace. Vendors and hawkers have invaded the roads and footpaths with impunity. They sell food items, vegetables, fruits, clothes including second hand wear, footwear, mobile sets and all sort of accessories and wares under the sun. Pedestrians just do not have space to walk and most of the time they have to negotiate with vehicles on the roads to be able to get to their destinations. Oh, it is a horrible experience. When pedestrians, by mistake and because of the push and pull and congestion happen to stamp on the wares displayed by hawkers then the foul mouthed hawkers start manhandling people. Vehicles find it very difficult to run through the roads as drivers have to negotiate between the hawkers and the roads. Even in Laitumkhrah, which till recently was comparatively free from hawkers, is today overgrown with hawkers and has lost the tag of being a religious and educational hub. No locality of Shillong is free from hawkers. Hawkers should occupy only free and open space free from pedestrians and invade the roads and footpaths.
The main reason for this problem is the inability of Urban Department Authority, the Shillong Municipality to regulate hawking and the unwillingness of the state government to take action on the illegal encroachment of the hawkers into the public thoroughfares.
Another reason is because there are organisations which support and sympathise with the hawkers. We appeal to the Meghalaya High Court to intervene here through its judicial activism by passing a suo moto order to prevent hawkers from encroaching and invading public thoroughfares which is a public menace in Shillong. Shillong is already choked, over-stressed and over-populated. There’s congestion and population explosion. The citizens of Shillong need some breathing space to be able walk and breathe freely.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Via email
Delay in appointing DGP
Editor,
There has been much consternation over the state government’s indecision to select and appoint a senior and well-experienced officer to the rank of DGP in our state police. Of late this decision has been compounded by political ping-pong match versus principles and rules that are important for the overall interests of the state, its people and the force. The retirement of Mr Awasthi former DGP has left the state police without a leader to direct and assume charge which is the gravest lacunae in the event of any internal security disorder, Add to this commotion comes the state government’s proposal to bring in tainted police officers from Assam to head our state police force which will add a blot to the image of our state and sets a poor example in bringing uniformity and discipline. We have senior officers who are very capable and who understand the social complexities of our society and state, therefore it will be prudent for the Chief Minister to walk the talk in the interests of the state and choose a person within the state police force..
Yours etc…
Dominic S.Wankhar
Time to resolve issue of Them Mawlong
Editor,
It is disheartening to read that there will be no change in the traffic restrictions at Harijan Colony (The Shillong Times, Nov 3, 18), five months after violence broke out in the city on May 31st 2018. Deputy Chief Minister and Chairman of the High Level Committee very categorically stated that the HLC is not sitting idle but isn’t it high time that the Them Iew Mawlong or Harijan Colony issue is taken up in a priority basis as this matter requires immediate resolution? As of now this area is guarded with barricades and police personnel at the entry points of the colony and the traffic movement is completely restricted. Isn’t it ironic that while the roads along Iew Mawlong area and Them Bijoy to Motphran are congested with traffic jam, the stretch along the Harijan Colony is restricted for now, The million dollar question is when will the matter be solved? It’s been five months and the matter is still under discussion. Is this how governance works? And yes, the question still remains as to what is the need to prevent vehicular movement through this road? The basic purpose that it has served is in adding to the traffic congestion in the adjoining areas. To maintain peace and order there are police personnel already stationed there. For how long do the people have to wait for the HLC to finally come up with concrete, viable solutions? The biggest fear is that this present government also follows the footsteps of its predecessors and allows Them Iew Mawlong or Harijan Colony to die a natural death by leaving it where it was decades ago. Yes, if the MDA government fails to solve the matter once and for all and dilly dallies then similar situations or perhaps even more violent ones may again erupt in the near future. Can we afford that?
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email
