Purana bazar comes to life as first batch set up shop
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 06 2010: Shifting of women vendors to the newly constructed market sheds of Khwairamband Bazar has started from today with women vendors of the former Purana Bazar taking the lead.

However, as the space for Sangmai Phampham, the traditional plots for women vendors with Lukmai (a type of large bamboo plate) were not given due consideration at the time of taking up the construction work, allotment of eight seats in a space meant normally for four seats has created lot of resentment among the women vendors.

Just after completion of distribution of seats in shed no.1 of the Purana Bazar, which has a total 28 sheds, officials of Imphal Municipal Council, MAHUD, PDA and City Police personnel were making arrangements for distribution of seats in shed no.2 when the women vendors started complaining against lack of adequate space for Sangmai Phampham.

After umpteen undue delays, women folk return to where they belong in the new structure

Though seats have been allotted to them, the women vendors found out that there was not enough space for keeping their Lukmais.

Traditionally, women vendors in Purana Bazar use Lukmais for selling items related to rites and rituals like Urik (wooden bead), Lukun (sacred thread), Chandan, Charik (types of beads), Laiphi (cloths for deities), etc as well as fruits, rice, pots, fishes and vegetables, all of which required more space.

Unhappy over the whole arrangement, the agitated women vendors questioned why eight seats have been allotted in a space normally meant for four seats and demanded to know how they are supposed to carry out their trading activities.

The women vendors were agitated all the more when the officials started measuring out a space of 2 and half feet for each Lukmai.

In each shed, 74 to 57 license holders are being allotted seats and the problem for limited space even more difficult for those who have been allotted seats near the pillars.

Attachment of electrical switches at the foot of these pillars has also created fear over possible electric shock among the women vendors.

They also complained over the higher elevation of their plots saying that it difficult for them to climb.

In fact, some senior women vendors were seen having problem in climbing the steps.

Talking to mediapersons, general secretary of Manipur Keithel Nupi Marup, Khwairamband Keithel L Mema asserted that lack of adequate space for Sangmai Phampham and allotted of more seats in a space meant for only four seats testified serious lapses in the construction.

Mema said that as it would not be of any help to lodge complaint here, they would soon be going to New Delhi to meet AICC president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to highlight the issue.

Until the Government of Manipur looks into the matter, no women vendors would enter the market sheds to carry out their trade, she announced.

Notwithstanding the complaints, the officials which include PDA chairman Kh Loken and Administrator, Executive Officer as well as Revenue Officer of Imphal Municipality carried out distribution of seats among the licence holders and herded off the women vendors after proper identification and listing of their respective seats.

Representatives of Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup and Nupi Keithel Semgat Sagatpa Lup were also present at the occasion.