Keithel vendors seize vegetables from Kuki areas
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 21 2024: Women vendors of Khwairamband Keithel have started seizing vegetables brought from Kuki populated areas and found sold at Nagamapal, near Kasturi bridge and under the BT flyover here.

As around 20 vendors were found selling vegetables including tree beans locally known as Yongchak, kidney beans and green chillies transported in bulk from Kuki villages on Tuesday a team of the Keithel vendors impounded the vegetables and warned the vendors not to sell the vegetables in the future.

Regarding the drive, a woman vendor named Khwairakpam Manitombi told media persons that armed Chin-Kuki-Zo militants continue to attack Meetei villages since May 3, 2023 besides torching villages and people belonging to the Meetei community.

The ongoing conflict arising out of violence perpetrated by Chin-Kuki-Zo militants against the Meetei community has been affecting all the indigenous communities and seriously crippling the economy.

As such, Federation of Civil Society Organisation (FOCS) had given the clarion call to ban sale of food crops including vegetables originating from Chin-Kuki populated areas.

Endorsing the FOCS announcement women vendors of Khwairamband Keithel launched the drive, Manitombi said and appealed to the vegetable vendors not to sell goods collected from Chin-Kuki people anymore or else face the consequences.

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