SHILLONG: The hawkers have once again occupied many footpaths in parts of the city causing inconvenience to passers-by.
As the High Court had not given any favourable verdict to the vendors, the contempt of court may land the hawkers in trouble, an official said.
The last order of the High Court of Meghalaya related to the hawkers was on December 16.
During the last hearing, the HC had asked the Chief Secretary to appoint a nodal officer to ensure status quo on the matter related to hawkers as ordered earlier by the Court. “Any attempt at violation, whether on the part of a hawker or a street vendor or writ petitioner or appellant or anyone who is represented by the writ petitioners, or on the part of any officer related with the Municipal Board shall be taken note of and shall be reported in the first place to the Chief Secretary, who may issue necessary directions and shall also report the same to this Court,” the order had said.
When contacted, an official with the Shillong Municipal Board said following the court order, senior official T. Lyngwa was appointed as the nodal officer to assess the violation of the order, if any, in parts of the city by undertaking spot visits.
As per the December 16 order, the Chief Secretary will have to submit his comprehensive report to the Court before the next date of hearing on February 10.
