Street vendors demand...

Instead of hostel, build shed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 15, 2013: Demanding that the Government arrange trading site/complex for street vendors, Ima Panthoibi Street Vendors' union, Khuman lampak Dingku Road, asserted that it would staunchly oppose any move to construct hostel for tribal boys and girls near Khuman Lampak bus Terminus.

Speaking to newspersons at Manipur Press Club today, Union advisor Y Indrani Devi informed that the Government of Manipur is planning to set-up a tribal hostel at the plot of Apex Cooperative Society, which is located opposite to the bus terminus.

Highlighting that street vendors belonging to both the valley and hill communities have been plying their trades on the Dingku Road footpath for the past many years to sustain livelihood, Indira reminded that the Union, in 2011, had urged the Chief Minister to establish a market shed within the Cooperative Society premises.

When the CM came to inspect the Cooperative Society complex on May 1, the street vendors were elated as the CM's visit was expected to be in response to the street vendors' plea for the market complex construction, expressed the advisor who conceded that the jubilant street vendors felt marginalised and neglected upon realising that O Ibobi's visit was actually for construction of the tribal hostel.

While construction of a market complex would certainly promote healthy inter-community relationships as the area is close to the bus terminus where people from various communities would converge, the Government mulling to set up a facility for the students to reside is ridiculous as the proposed location would be noisy and troublesome for students who would rather prefer serene environment to concentrate on their studies, indira observed.

She further cautioned that the women street vendors would launch intense agitation in case the Government goes ahead with the proposed hostel construction.

A memorandum highlighting plight as well as demand of the Union was also submitted to the Chief Minister today, according to the Union advisor.

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