Creche construction in Khwairamband protested
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 05 2014: Strong protests erupted against the opening of a Creche centre on top floor of the three women market complexes in Khwairamband Market here today.

Objecting to the construction of cr�che centre without giving prior information to them, hundreds of women vendors of the three markets protested by holding a meeting and subsequently dismantled the initial construction works on the proposed creche centre.

While the agitating women tried to proceed to IMC office by uprooting the tree saplings planted around Purana Bazar (Leimarel Sidabi market), police barricaded them and later allowed 10 of them to meet Ng.

Uttam, Executive Officer of Imphal Municipal Council (IMC) .

Giving reasons of the protest, President of Khwaramband Keithel Semgat Sagat Lup Radhesana said that women marketers do not need cr�che centre as majority of them do not have small babies.

She iterated that construction of any structure unrelated to the market would not be allowed.

Moreover, it was also agreed with the Chief Minister that nothing would be taken up in the 3 markets without permission of the women concerned, she pointed out, while citing that the CM stated it again on July 24 last during the State Assembly session.

She recalled that according to the memorandum of understanding signed on April 19 in 2005 at 2 pm, no construction other than drinking water facility, toilet facility, store room etc.

would be done in the market complexes.

The woman leader denounced that the chief minister and the IMC do not adhere to earlier agreements.

During the talks with women representatives, Executive Officer Ng.

Uttam said the construction has been approved following request from Manipur State Council for Child Welfare in consideration of the child bearing women marketers.

The construction has been planned for only 2 rooms for accommodation of 25 children and allotment is for six months to one year, elaborated Ng.

Uttam while informing the women representatives that all expenses for catering and salaries of staff are also to be borne by the said organization.

Saying that President of Indian Council for Child Welfare who had earlier inspected the site pressed for the construction on the State council, Uttam said it was done in consideration of the welfare of the women marketers.

He added that the Governor of Manipur also gave instructions for taking up women welfare programmes in the market complexes.

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