Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 21 2008:
With expiry of the deadline served for unconditional release of the 19 women street vendors arrested by the police, the agitated street vendors have decided to intensify the ongoing indefinite general strike.
Announcing this while taking to mediapersons at Manipur Press Club here today, general secretary of Joint Action Committee of the evicted footpath vendors Thokchom Subadani said that as the deadline served till today for the unconditional release of the arrested 19 women street vendors has been expired without getting any response from the side of the State Government, the agitated street vendors have been left with no option but to intensify the ongoing indefinite general strike from tomorrow.
Seeking the co-operation of the transporters and urging them to stay away from transporting any goods to the Khwairamband market, Subadani categorically stated that the transporters themselves should be responsible for any damages caused to their vehicles in the event of defying the strike call.
Reiterating the demand of the street vendors to provide space for them in the market area and asking the State Government to release the arrested 19 street vendors at once, Subadani also drew the attention of the various social organisations to the plight of the evicted street vendors who have been deprived of earning their daily income.
Meanwhile, condemning the police action on the women street vendors of Khwairamband Bazar who come from different parts of the State in search of livelihood, ex-MLA of Thanga A/C S Ibohal Singh has observed that there could be no greater crime against women than lathi-charging and scattering around goods of the poor street vendors.
It is the inherent weakness of the Imphal Municipal Council and the State Government not being able to provide spaces to the poor street vendors to sell their good.
Instead of arresting them and lodging in jail, the State Government should try to solve the problem and end the ongoing strike which has given a serious impact on the economy of the State, the ex-MLA said.