Mugdha Das

Meghalaya: Crackdown launched to enforce ‘no vending zone’ in Police Bazaar, Shillong

Digital Desk: Tensions erupted in the Police Bazaar area of Shillong – the capital city of Meghalaya – on Monday, as a coordinated crackdown was launched to enforce the newly declared ‘No Vending Zone’.

The Shillong Municipal Board, along with district officials and police personnel, carried out a major clearance drive on Monday at the bustling Police Bazar area in Shillong.

The operation focused on removing street vendors operating without valid Certificates of Vending (CoVs) and directing them to shift to designated vending zones.

The move is part of an effort by the Meghalaya government to decongest Police Bazaar.

Authorities have urged vendors to relocate to officially designated vending areas.

However, the operation was not without resistance.

Tensions escalated during the drive, with several street vendors engaging in heated exchanges with municipal officials, arguing against their eviction from long-occupied spots in Police Bazaar.

The action follows a recent statement by Meghalaya tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh, who confirmed that Police Bazaar would be formally designated as a ‘No Vending Zone’.

Notably, to accommodate the displaced vendors, the state urban affairs department has constructed 400 stalls at the MUDA Complex.

However, only 248 vendors have so far confirmed their willingness to relocate to the new vending zone.

The district administration has reiterated that vendors must cooperate with the new regulations.