Womenfolk begin relay hunger strike
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 22 2022:
Appealing to the authorities concerned to allow vending at Khwairamband Keithel Temporary Market till afternoon, womenfolk have started a hunger strike from today.
A total of six persons including a few aged women started fasting from today afternoon.
Briefing media persons today, Roadside Vendors' Welfare Association general secretary Kiranmala Thongbam said members of the association will be taking part in the hunger strike.
According to a December 13 order of the Imphal Municipal Corporation, the street vendors are allowed to open stalls at the Temporary Market between 6 am and 12 pm only.
This has immensely impacted the sales and the vendors are not able to earn enough to feed their families, she said.
The street vendors are primarily sole bread earners of their families.
They not only feed their families but also bear other daily and monthly expenses including medical bills and school fees of children.
The time window given to open stalls is not enough, she said, stating they should be allowed to open stalls in the afternoon also.
Even though repeated appeals have been made, the IMC authorities and the Government have not yet taken up any positive steps to address their problems, she said.
Further asserting that most of the street vendors are living below poverty line, she said Chief Minister N Biren should visit the women and see their conditions personally to understand their plights.
Even though the street vendors at the Temporary market are IMC approved and beneficiaries of the PM Street Vendor's Atma Nirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, they are being treated by the Government authorities as unauthorised vendors constantly, she lamented.
Panthoibi Ima Sana Keithel Temporary Market Apex Body general secretary Khomdram Joymati said the street vendors denounced the December 13 order of the IMC which restricted the time for vending to only 6 hours.
Also, the December 15 order of the administration imposing CrPC 144 was unfortunate, she said.
The six street vendors who have started fasting will be replaced by other members, who will continue the hunger strike.
The relay hunger strike will continue till the IMC revokes its order and gives more time for vending, she added.
Meanwhile, the womenfolk condoled the victims of the ill-fated accident yesterday which killed 9 persons, mostly students.
They expressed condolences and shared the pain of the bereaved families.
They also prayed for quick and healthy recovery of the injured persons.