No end to woes of street vendors, cops chasing them away even at night
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 30 2013:
Defying all social barriers these women have come out of their homes just to earn their livelihood by selling vegetables, fruits, fishes and other household items under scorching heat on the road side of Khwairamband Keithel.
However, the Municipal authorities treat them as "trouble makers" and chase them away wherever they are seen in and around the City using the force of armed police personnel and Traffic Police.
These street vendors have been demanding the State government to provide vending spaces at proper locations, but no such arrangement has been made till date.
They continue to sell goods in Khwairamband Keithel despite rigorous police action.
The personnel of Traffic Police often chase them away from the road side of Khwairamband Keithel during the day time citing reasons for traffic congestion as well as polluting the landmark market place of the State.
Most unfortunately, the police have recently begun offensive drive against the street vendors even at night time when there is negligible traffic on the road.
Policemen with batons chase away women vendors and throw away their vegetables, fruits and other items gathered near the foot path for sale.
These women have no other alternative to earn their livelihood.
They are trying their best to make some money for their families even at night time.
However, the "anti-street vendor" attitude of the State authorities has made their lives miserable, unable to bear even a square meals a day.
In a shocking tone, a woman street vendor told Hueiyen Lanpao, "I have none who can look after my family and so I have come out as a street vendor just to make some money to feed my children.
I cannot sell during day time due to restrictions imposed by the Municipal authorities.
I have decided to sell goods for few hours at night time, but the police chase us away like criminals.
We, street vendors, have lost all our dignity at the hands of the police personnel" .
"We have chosen street vending as a means to live our lives with dignity, but the State government has deprived of all our livelihoods.
My children and many others are starving just because of inhuman mindsets of the State leaders", the woman averred.