SHILLONG, June 7: Hawkers and street vendors hit the city streets on Monday demanding an alternative to the “livelihood-snatching” lockdown that has been extended till June 14.
Members of the Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors’ Association gathered at Khyndai Lad and Motphran in a bid to open their shops and stalls.
The administration and police intervened and the hawkers agreed to leave these places following an assurance that their concern would be taken up with the higher authorities for an early decision.
Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors’ Association leader Angela Rangad said the hawkers and street vendors took to the streets because of extreme distress and frustration.
“One and a half months of lockdown and inability to have a livelihood and earn has forced all to come out,” Rangad said, resenting the lack of a plan on the part of the government to ease the woes of the marginalised.
“But there has been no announcement of income support, and no announcement of ensuring pulses, oil and protein, not just rice,” she added.
Recalling the government’s failure last year in thinking about the hawkers and street vendors, Rangad said they have had to keep asking the authorities when the hawkers can start selling their goods.
