Street vendors storm IMC complex
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 02 2022:
Protesting alleged inability of the Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) to honour its own order issued on October 16, street vendors of Khwairamband Keithel stormed the IMC complex, here, on Wednesday and performed their vending activities briefly.
IMC administrator M Joy Singh had on October 16 issued an order, directing the street vendors of Khwairamband Keithel to do their vending activities at temporary market in two shifts, morning from 6am to 12 noon and evening shift from 1pm to 7pm daily, on first come first basis.
However, the order could not be implemented till date and hence street vendors stormed the IMC complex.
During the protest, street vendors held several placards inscribed with slogans demanding their rightful vending slots, decrying police harassment, ensuring sources of livelihood, and seeking support of the public as well as the chief minister.
Khwairamband Keithel Street Vendors' Welfare Union assistant secretary L Nandita, who also joined the protest, told media persons that vending spaces for street vendors are being snatched by muscle and money power with the IMC unable to honour its own order till date.
She also demanded IMC to honour its own order and implement morning and evening shifts properly.
She then urged the chief minister and the MAHUD minister to acknowledge suffering of street vendors and allow street vendors to continue vending activities at their right place.
Later, IMC Revenue Officer along with SDPO Imphal and OC of City police station held talk with the protesting street vendors and assured of evicting street vendors staying overnight at the temporary market.
After the assurance from IMC official and police, all the protesting street vendors vacated the complex but warned of launching more intense protest if the assurance is not translated into action.