Street vendors set Dec 13 deadline for seat allotment
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 09 2022:
Demanding allotment of vending seats for street vendors, who have been left out from the temporary market complex of Khwairamband Keithel, by December 13; Khwairamband Keithel Street Vendors' Welfare Union and Khwairamband Bazar Women Street Vendors have warned of launching protest from the next day onwards in case of failing to do so.
Addressing a joint press meet at Manipur Press Club, here, on Friday, Welfare Union assistant general secretary Nandita Leimapokpam said that an order issued by IMC administrator M Joy on October 17 gave instruction to carry out trade by following a strict two-shift schedule of 6 am to 12 noon and 1 pm to 7 pm.
However, some women vendors occupied the seats whole day by even staying overnight without giving any opportunity to the left out vendors, she said.
Consequently, the left out vendors staged protest inside the IMC complex last month.
Later, they suspended their stir in view of Manipur Sangai Festival.
The general secretary also claimed that many of the left out vendors were assaulted by some of the vendor leaders when they, tried to carry out their trade in the temporary market complex and accused the government of turning a blind eye to the situation.
As a result, the left out vendors are facing immense hardships due to loss of livelihood, she said.
Demanding allotment of vending space by December 13, Nandita cautioned of launching stir from December 14 onwards if the authority fails to resolve the issue on or before the given deadline.