Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 19:
Nupi Keithel Marup (Nupi Keithel Semgat Sagatpa Marup), Khwairamband Bazar has come out strongly against the move of the State Government to construct a triple-storeyed shopping, complex over Lakshmi Bazar, New Market and Lingthoingambi Market.
The women vendors of the historic market have been staying overnight for the last one year and five months, to oppose and move to destroyed the unique character of the market, a Marup statement said, adding that it is the desire of the people to retain the unique character of the historic and whole-fame Khwairamband Bazar, popularly known as Ima Market.
Despite strong resistance, the Government has gone ahead with its plan and issued an order in this connection, the statement lamented.
Allotment of shop plots to men shopkeepers would also defiled the sanctity of the all-women market, which is considered one of its kind in the world attracting the attention of the outside visitors, the statement maintained.
The Government's plan also include construction of a parking lot for two wheelers and four-wheelers vehicles at the basement of the proposed shopping complex, the statement pointed out, while asserted that would also compounded the problem of the women vendors with increase in the level of pollution and occurrence of accidents.