Hawkers Association demands HNLC to publish the findings of its “research cell”

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 8, 2025

The Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA) on Tuesday outrightly rejected all accusations made by the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) against its leader Biolin Pyrtuh and Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR) leader Angela Rangad that they have not stood for  the rights of indigenous people and have run a “parallel economy.”

The association has denied allegations of collecting money from vendors, calling them “old rumors” intended to cause conflict and division.

“For over ten years, the association has worked tirelessly to ensure that the rights of all street vendors are protected under the Constitution and adhere to the letter and spirit of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihoods and Regulation of Vending) Act, 2014. 

The rights of the indigenous people are enshrined in the Constitution, as well as in other legislations and international conventions; these are the principles the association adheres to and uses to claim the rights of indigenous people in the protection of their land, entitlements, livelihoods, and the preservation of their culture. To be an advocate for indigenous people does not mean the rejection of the rights of others. It is when all are protected under the law and treated fairly by those in power that we can have a prosperous, just, and safe state,” general secretary of the association Shane Thabah said in a statement.

The association has reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights of all street vendors under the Constitution and the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihoods and Regulation of Vending) Act, 2014.

Angela Rangad and Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR) have been advocates for indigenous people’s rights, workers’ rights, women’s rights, and human rights in Meghalaya for decades.

“With TUR, Rangad has also been part of movements aimed at protecting the forests, rivers, and land of the Khasi Jaintia Hills, including struggles against uranium mining, unregulated and illegal coal mining, damming of rivers, and the loot of other natural resources. Further, TUR and Angela Rangad has fought for and continues to stand for transparency and accountability that brought in the Righr to Information and Lokayukta to safeguard citizens rights from being usurped through corruption and abuse of power,” he said.

The association has demanded that the HNLC substantiate its accusations and publish the findings of its “research cell.” 

The association has also urged the police to take necessary steps to track down the source of malicious information aimed at creating chaos.

“The accusation of collecting money from vendors is an old rumour, intended to cause conflict, division, and tarnish the association’s image, and has been repeatedly dismissed and cleared. FIRs have been filed repeatedly against individuals making false and malicious accusations. This current attempt at disinformation regarding the collection of money from non-tribal vendors is yet another attempt at the same,” Thabah said adding “We demand that the HNLC substantiate its accusation and publish the findings of its so-called “research cell”.”

“The language used by one Sainkupar Nongtraw raises doubts about his/her/they existence, as they hide behind periodic press releases. We urge the police to take the necessary steps to track and shut down the source of such malicious information aimed at creating chaos,” he concluded.