Overview

• On August 1, predominantly Khasi women vendors held a sit-in at the Shillong Municipal Board office accusing officials of arbitrarily revoking vending certificates and favouring non-local stallholders
• A formal survey identified 407 vendors with 311 granted Certificates of Vending, yet authorities did not publish the final beneficiary list for the 282 stalls allocated at the MUDA Parking Complex
• Protesters organized under the Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association submitted a memorandum demanding a transparent reassessment of the relocation process conducted by SMB and the Urban Affairs Department
• Vendors insist that only a reconvened Town Vending Committee can ensure lawful licence decisions and prevent biased stall allocations, threatening to escalate their action if it is not summoned
• The Meghalaya High Court has scheduled the next hearing on licence disputes and relocation grievances for August 5, with vendors viewing it as a critical step toward accountability