Demanding safety and security...Women vendors launch relay hunger strike
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, March 18 2015: Alleging that the State Government has failed to take up measures for safety of the people despite frequent blasts in crowded areas of Imphal, women vendors of temporary market of Khwairamband Market staged a relay hunger strike from today.

Even as a week had passed since the tragic incident of March 11, the Government has failed to find out the culprit(s) responsible for the blast besides not taking any action to check repetition of the barbaric act, the protesting women vendors alleged.

More than a hundred women vendors took part on the first day of the relay hunger strike staged at the temporary market shed starting from today at 10 am.

The relay hunger strike was launched under the banner of the Roadside Vendors Welfare Association.

The vendors were drawing the attention of the Government to book the culprit(s) behind the blast at the earliest besides taking up safety measures by lighting up the market places, restricting entry of all kinds of vehicles at the market place and installation of CCTV cameras at sensitive areas of Imphal city at the earliest.

Talking to reporters, a leader of the vendors taking part in the protest said that they were pressing the Government to take up safety measures after the barbaric act of March 11 that killed at least three people besides inflicting injuries to more than 20 others including women vendors.

"We are not satisfied with the Government," she said alleging that Government has remained deaf in dealing with the plights of the people.

On March 11, a powerful IED blast at a shed of the temporary market claimed the lives of three people-a salesman and two potters-and wounded over 20 others including seven women most of whom were vendors.

She said that they are disappointed and disheartened with the Government as bomb blasts have been frequently taking place in the State.

"We are not satisfied with the present Government.

They remain silent even when daily bread earners are also targeted.

We have now lost completely faith in the present Government," she added.

Finding out the perpetrator(s) responsible for the frequent blasts is needed.

It not only helps in knowing the motive behind targeting civilians but also checking the repetition of such barbaric acts, she maintained.

For any untoward incidents in the future, the Government should take full responsibility if their demands are not considered by the Government at the earliest.

Mention may be made that even though CCTV cameras were installed at some places of Imphal city, all of them are lying defunct.

Even the Home Minister had admitted this.

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