Keithel women decry closure order
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 21 2021:
Hours after the Government ordered closure of the Ima Keithels and Temporary market, in view of rising Covid cases, a scuffle broke out between women vendors and the police today.
Terming the Government order to shut the Ima Keithels for 10 days, biased, women of Keithel Number 1 (Leimarel Shidabi Ima Keithel) erupted in protest at around 4.30 pm .
After a brief altercation with the police, representatives of the women vendors pacified the women and an agreement was reached with the police to defuse the tension.
During the altercation, the women vendors termed the Government order biased and demanded that the shops at Paona and other markets should be closed like the Ima Keithels.
Significantly, the Government order had completely shut the Ima Keithels while allowing shops at Paona and others to open on roster basis.
Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinfam Amadi Shaktam Kanba Lup, president, Thoudam ongbi Shanti told media persons that the markets have been opened at half their capacities in view of COVID-19.Moreover, only those who wear face masks are allowed to enter the market.
A meeting was held with Imphal West Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police at around 11 am today.
In the meeting, the representatives of the women vendors had told them very clearly that they would support and cooperate if a lockdown is imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
It was made clearly known that, if Ima Keithels are to be closed, all shops except those selling daily essential items at Khwairamband should be closed too, she said.
She added that the Government order was very hasty and immediate and as such, the women vendors would face serious losses.
Vegetables and other items procured earlier would perish without a place to sell.
The Government should have given the women vendors some time to prepare.
The Government should understand that the women vendors are poor and living on daily earnings, she added.