The Streets Of Imphal

Prakash Khundrakpam *

JCILPS pulls down fruit stalls in front of school on May 02 2018 :: Pix - TSE

The response of the State Government and the police forces to the destruction of the stalls of fruit vendors in Imphal Ema Market complex is liable for public scrutiny. The question of communal and ethnic undertones associated with the act however remains questionable.

It is true to say the least, that an organization like JCILPS is “not empowered” to destroy such stalls. But, it is also true that the state authorities that are empowered to deal with street vending and associated matters have not performed their tasks rightly and in time. If the authorities had done it, we would not have had the misfortune to witness such a day.

The Street Vendors, Act of 2014 necessitates the constitution of a Town Vending Committee to regulate and form rules for street vending. Such a committee would have representation from the Municipality and Civil Society and NGOs.

It seems as if the Emas of Ema Keithel has been demanding such a Committee since 2014. Khwairamband Keithel Lambi-Mataida Potpham Phambi Lup (KKLMPPL) had in 2014 appealed to the authority concerned to create conducive environment for the vendors considering the fact that the street vendors are also trying to make ends meet.

But the State government has not paid any heed to such demands. In case such a committee is not formed, the street vendors CANNOT be evicted and no-vending zones cannot be established. It thus follows that the vending done by Emas in streets and roadsides is not "illegal". And so is the vending done by the fruit sellers in front of the famed OK Hotel.

It is very sad then to see discrimination being meted out by the State police forces in treatment of the EMAs and the Fruit vendors. And it is also questionable, as to under what grounds, have the Imphal Municipal Council granted licenses to these fruit sellers? If they had done so under a State legislation, it would be wise to disclose the nature and manner under which such licenses had been granted. Truth be told, The Imphal Municipal Council seems to be in shambles; defunct and misgoverned.

In this juncture, the only logical and legal way forward would be to constitute a Town Vending Committee as fast as possible; designate the vending and no-vending zones and relocate the vendors to a suitable place. “Vendors” here do not refer to only the fruit sellers in front of the OK Hotel but also the Mothers of Ema Keithel, the age-old market famous for being run solely by women.

Regarding the hue and cry that the move was communal and directed towards outsiders, it would be wise to remember that the “communal” is subjective and is open to differing views.

The act was perpetrated by JCILPS, an organization that has been demanding the implementation of the Inner Line Permit System of Manipur. So, the mistaken assumption by some sections of the society that the act is guided by such “ethnic” and communal factors is understandable.

However, on deep analysis, the act is a manifestation of all the frustrations of the public in a misgoverned democracy. Grievances have accumulated for years to give effect to such actions. As stated above, if the authorities had done what they needed to do; we would not have witnessed such an act.

It would be interesting to see what route the government takes in this regard.