Street vendors trying to feed families: Assn
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 20 2022: Pangal Street Vendors' Association (PSVA) has appealed to police personnel to stop harassing the vendors selling their wares/products in and around Khwairamband market, as they are also human beings desperately trying to feed their respective families.

In a statement, the Association expressed, its dissatisfaction over the police's extreme acts of destroying or tossing away the wares/ products which the vendors had procured with the little money they have or by borrowing from others.

It is more even unfortunate when the vendors are detained in some instances.

While PSVA appreciates the state government's move to maintain cleanliness and reduce traffic congestions in Imphal city, it is equally lamentable to restrict the street vendors from sitting in and around Khwairamband market and instead, forcing them to go to Lamphel Super Market.

This is like pushing the vendors to their deaths, as the vendors could not go and set up shop at Lamphel Super Market but had to return to Khwairamband market due to lack of shoppers at the designated location.

Appealing to the government and the police department to consider street vendors as human beings as well; the Association questioned whether the vendors are not part of the society and why they are being discriminated so strongly.

It then urged the government to retract its step and instead, come up with a permanent solution for the street vendors in and around Khwairamband market.

However, if any further attempt is made to cruelly drive away the vendors, PSVA cautioned of launching intense agitations with CSOs of the state and as such, appealed to the people to extend their cooperation in this regard.

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