Women vendors blame Govt for disorder
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 27 2014 :
Women traders of the three Khwairamband Keithels today staged sit-in demonstra- tion alleging that lack of initiative by both the Government of Manipur and Imphal Municipal Council (IMC) has been the genesis of almost daily unruly scenes in market places.
Regretting that even for petty matters women vendors rant against each other and sometimes end in public brawls, Nupi Keithel Semgat Sagatpa lup secretary P Ibenu Devi contended that indifferent attitude by the Government to maintain decorum in the public places as well as failure and delay by the IMC to streamline vendor licensing system are some factors for diluting historic relevancy of Khwairamband Keithel.
Referring to the recent unruly scene at Manipur Press Club during a seminar on preserving identity of Khwairamband Keithel, she observed that a particular woman vendor bringing up personal issues rather than sharing her views for collective development of the market place brought shame to the entire women traders.
While the Government seems to be deliberately ignoring incidents having potential to go out of hand, IMC authorities not redistributing vendor licenses inspite of collecting the documents some two years back is not helping the cause, Ibenu maintained.
Citing failure of public toilets and erratic power supply as contributory factors for the market chaos, the secretary suggested that the ongoing Manipur Legislation Assembly session take concrete measures to preserve sanctity of the historic market place.