Imphal, October 01: Taking strong exception against the manner in which road side vendors were evicted on September 29 by City police under the slogan of Green Imphal, the Manipur Keithel Nupi Marup has today announced that they would take the fight to the Government.

Addressing reporters at Manipur Press Club, general secretary of the Marup, Laishram Mema said that instead of trying to set up alternative sites for the road side vendors, who are trying to eke out a living, the Govt has deemed it fitter to evict them without any care.

Asserting that the eviction drive was illegal, Mema said that at least 48 hours prior notice should have been given.

If the road side vendors are unauthorised, then there are many unauthorised vendors currently selling their wares at the temporary market shed, countered the Marup leader.

On top of this there are a large number of unauthorised at the temporary market shed who have been put there at the recommendations of the PDA Chairman, she said and added that the same rule should apply and they should also be evicted.

If the Govt does not play fairly and do not evict the other unauthorised vendors, then the 58 card holders, who have paid their taxes till 2009 but not yet accommodated will occupy their place at the temporary market shed, announced Mema.

The Nupi Keithel Marup will face whatever comes up, she declared.

The Manipur Nupi Keithel Marup agreed to the proposal of the Government to build three new market complexes in the face of the population rising as well the increase in the number of women vendors, explained Mema.

Asserting that no one is willing to listen to travails of the women vendors, she said that getting an appointment with the Prime Minister will be easier than getting an appointment with the Chief Minister.

The Imphal Municipality Council has also failed on many aspects.

The manner in which the post of the chairperson of the IMC has been changing hands has only aggravated the problems of the vendors, she said and warned that if the Govt does not act fairly, then they would not tolerate such a policy.

President of the Roadside Vendors' Association Ksh Tama said that though the Centre has agreed to authorise road side vendors, the same has not bee taken up in the State.

Instead of chasing an Utopian dream like Green Imphal, it would be far prudent to set up markets for vegetables, fish etc separately.

Jiri vendors: The Jiri Keithel Chaokhat Thourang Eema Marup has stated that due to ceasing of all activities by the Jiribam Municipal Council, the people of Jiribam in general and the vendors in particular have been facing lots of inconveniences, reports our Jiribam correspondent.

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