Street vendors stage rally
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 22 2013 :
Street ven-dors today took out a protest rally demanding vendor space at Khwairamband Bazar.
The rally started from near Hindu Hotel shouting slogans like 'allot vendor space to street vendors at Khwai-ramband Bazar', 'we do not want vendor space at Lamphel Sana Keithel', 'do not snatch away right to life from street vendors', 'allot space at the top floor of three Ima Kei-thels', 'allow street vendors to earn livelihood' etc.
Even as the rallyists tried to march towards western gate of Kangla, a large num-ber of police personnel blocked them in front of Gambhir Singh Shopping Arcade.
A woman agitator who took part in the rally, organised by Khwairamband Keithel Lambi Mataida Potpham Phambi Lup, urged the 60 MLAs of Manipur to think over the livelihood of street vendors.
She said that poverty ridden street vendors are also the citizens of Manipur.
Another agitator said that the State Government machinaries have been chasing away the street vendors instead of chalking out a permanent plan for them.
She also questioned how street vendors can sell their items at Lamphel Sana Keithel where shoppers hardly come.
Saying that Government machinaries adopt unequal treatment among street vendors as well, she added that nobody raises any question when non-locals sell items in the alleys giving inconvenience to pedestrians, she said that poor women street vendors are however chased away by police.
Urging the 60 MLAs to think over the issue of street vendors seriously, the woman said that they do not come to Khairamband market to lead a lavish life.