Unreasonable to shut markets: Shanti
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 06 2023:
Stating that it is un-reasonable to shut down the markets amid the violent attacks by Kuki militants, Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinfam Amasung Saktam Kanba Lup president Kshetrimayum Shanti has urged for opening and operating the markets as usual and assisting those affected and displaced by the violence.
Addressing the media at Ma-nipur Press Club here Tuesday, Shanti observed that amid the ongoing violence, there seems to be a trend of individuals do-ing whatever they want, which is, in turn, creating confusion amongst the mass.
Almost ev-ery male in every household in the peripheral villages has been injured or killed while defend-ing onslaughts from the Kuki militants.
Amid such a precarious situ-ation, closing down the markets will only incur huge economic losses to all.
Moreover, there will be no flow of information or gathering to discuss possi-ble solutions to the prevailing issue.
As such, the best way forward would be to extend all possible help to those affected and displaced by the violence by sustaining economic activities, she reasoned.
Shanti continued that while some vendors may be in sup-port of the cease work protest, the end goal is the same.
The only difference is in the meth-ods employed.
However, now is not the time to be divided into factions but to work together.
Instead of resting at home during the cease work protests, all of us vendors should try to visit the affected areas on rotation basis and provide the necessary assistance, she said.
The press meet was also at-tended by the representative of 4th Khwairamband Ima Keithel Lup (Temporary Market) and vendors of the four Ima Markets.