Hawkers challenge officials

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, DEC 7: A group of women hawkers on Wednesday challenged officials conducting eviction drive at Motphran area and said the officials can shoot them if they are not allowed to carry on with their livelihood activities.

“If we are not allowed to carry on with our livelihood, it is better you shoot us here,” the women hawkers, who were around 40 of them, told the magistrate and police officials in protest against the eviction drive.

They said that the eviction has had a negative impact on their lives as they have no other alternative to ensure their family and children survival.

The women also justified their challenge saying they will have to starve and that is the reason why they are forced to be on the street trying to eke a livelihood.

One of them claimed that they have submitted a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi hills district that they are operating in the jurisdiction of Hima Mylliem and not municipal. She said they have been paying tax fee to the Hima for the past 20-24 years.

The district administration and the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) have been conducting eviction drive in the different parts of the city following the recent order passed by the High Court.