Khwairamband women vendors stage sit-in
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 28 2016:
Members of Khwairamband Keithel Sinpham Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup today staged a sit-in demonstration to show disapproval over the State Government's move to provide temporary market sheds elsewhere.
Lup secretary Thingujam Ongbi Rani said that after the construction work of temporary market sheds along Thangal Bazar was halted, the State Government has decided to make the women vendors occupy the vacant places at temporary market and above Ima Keithel Purana building which cannot be accepted at any cost.
Earlier, the temporary market had accommodated around 4000 women vendors.
Soon after the inauguration of Khwairamband Keithel, around 2000 women vendors of Nagamapal area shifted to the temporary market.
The vacant space which the State Government has been talking about is being occupied by the street vendors some 5 years back.
While more than half of the vacant spaces have been occupied by the street vendors, remaining vacant spaces have been used as a parking lot, Thingujam Ongbi Rani said.
The temporary market would not be able to accommodate even 300 women vendors and would result in clashes among the vendors, she added.
The State Government has assured of providing temporary arrangement by January end.
In case such arrangement could not be made within the stipulated time, women vendors would risk their lives and occupy their respective places inside the damaged Ima Keithel buildings in order to earn their livelihood.