Street vendors protest eviction notice
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 11 2025: Street vendors of Dingku Road today staged a protest demonstration against the eviction notice issued by the Imphal West Deputy Commissioner on July 7 .

Speaking to media persons by the sideline of the protest demonstration, Ima Panthoibi Street Vendors Union secretary Sapam (O) Indira categorically said that the notice issued by the Imphal West DC is unacceptable.

Asking where the street vendors will go and continue their trade, Indira said that the Government authorities must not carry out any eviction drive until an alternative site is arranged.

The street vendors and the then Chief Minister made an agreement in 2014 that market sheds will be constructed at another place but the Government has not yet made any alternative arrangement for the street vendors of Dingku Road, she said.

Saying that they are earning their livelihood by selling vegetables and other merchandise on the street, Indira asked whether the PR administration will support the street vendors and their families after driving them out from the street.

Meanwhile, All India Trade Union Congress Manipur secretary Laishram Sotinkumar has expressed support to the street vendors' protest.

In line with a Supreme Court ruling, the Government agreed not to evict the street vendors until an alternate arrangement is made.

The Govt must comply with the Supreme Court ruling and the makeshift structures of the street vendors should not be dismantled, Sotinkumar said.

He said that he would protest vehemently and even lay down his life for the cause of the street vendors if the Government forcibly evicts the street vendors.

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