Non-local trader, lady vendor ostracised
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 18 2013:
Along with announcing permanent expulsion of a non-local trader and banning entry of a woman vendor into Khwairamband Keithel for their alleged immoral conduct, women vendors have declared that no male trader would be allowed to run business inside the four market complexes with immediate effect.
Speaking to media persons after a hurriedly convened meeting at the temporary market shed today, a senior woman vendor stated that decision to expel the non-local trader and ban the lady vendor was taken to maintain sanctity of the historic Khwairamband Keithel, run exclusively by women vendors.
Identifying the male trader as one Rajesh Shah (30) from Bihar's Gopalganj district but presently residing at Hatta Golapati, she said that Rajesh, a vegetable supplier, and the lady vendor were caught red-handed in a compromising position by volunteers of Federation of Regional Indigenous Society (FREINDS) .
While Rajesh would be expelled from Manipur the lady vendor from Sugnu would be totally prohibited from trading at the market complexes for their indulgence in immoral act, said the senior vendor while lamenting that immoral conduct of the lady vendor has tarnished image of the highly acclaimed Khwairamband Keithel.
Further conveying that the emergency meeting resolved to bar plying of trades by male traders inside the four market complexes, marked exclusively for women vendors, she further declared that with the exception of Kanglei Economic Development Organisation (KEDO) and Workers' Union (WU) volunteers/members no male would be allowed to enter the market places after 7 pm.
KEDO and WU volunteers are engaged for safe-keeping of articles of the women vendors.
Stringent punitive action would be initiated against those found defying the prohibitions, asserted the senior woman vendor with a similar warning to both Rajesh Shah and L Premabati.