Street Vendors demand a new market complex
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 19 2014: All Manipur Street Vendors' Association, in its meeting held today at Manipur Press Club here, urged the Chief Minister who also holds the charge of MAHUD to construct a fourth women market complex in Imphal city to accommodate the street vendors.

During the meeting, Advocate Araba; Khuman Leima, President, International Manipur Mothers' Association; Tongbram Santi, President, All Manipur Street Vendors' Association; Ngangom Tomal Devi, Advisor, All Manipur Street Vendors' Association; Ibenungshi, Member of All Manipur Street Vendors' Association took the dais as presidium members.

Denouncing the non-allotment of vendors to the street vendors despite the assurance given by PDA Chairman in 2008, the meeting resolved to pursue the state government for due allotment of their places in the market.

The meeting, besides calling for unity among the street vendors, also decided to urge the state government not to allow the police to frequently disturb the street vendors.

In her keynote speech, Tongbram Santi said the street vendor women are doing their business to earn their livelihood and to feed their children by keeping away from shyness.

Frequent disturbance of the street vendors by the police and the indifferent attitude of the government on the matter will add fuel to fire, she warned.

It has been 12 years that the street vendors have not been provided a permanent place, she lamented saying that they were given temporary sheds once at the District Hospital complex, later at Lamphel supermarket, and again at Tombisana High school area.

Santi stated in the meeting that although over 9 thousand vendors were present in the meeting held on 8 February 2011, there are only around 2500 vendor traders at present.

The meeting also called upon the state government to utilize the Rs.72 crore earmarked by the UPA chairperson for construction of a 4th women market in Imphal.

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