Many allege irregularities in distribution of stalls
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 03 2022: Certain quarters have alleged that the authority concerned has been indulging in gross irregularities in the process of distributing shops/stalls at the market complex newly developed at Lamphel (near supermarket) .

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, a group of women who have been reportedly denied shops/stalls said that the space near Lamphel Supermarket where there was a temporary market shed has now been developed as a market complex under Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) .

The process of allotment or distribution of shops constructed within the newly developed market complex is almost over.

However, many women who had been running shops/stalls at the same place from the days of temporary market shed have been left out from the distribution of stalls, they alleged.

Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved women, one Thoudam Neeta said that they were running shops, hotels etc since 2011 at the same place where the new market complex has been developed.

Seh said that they filed a petition to the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) on the same matter sometime back.

Taking cognizance of the petition, the MHRC sought replies from the respondents which include the Municipal Commissioner and the Lamphel Supermarket Shops and Street Vendors Welfare Association.

While the Lamphel Supermarket Shops and Street Vendors Welfare Association rejected all the charges made by the petitioners, the Municipal Commissioner contended that the petitioners were unable to produce any evidence to prove they once ran shops/stalls at the place where a new market complex now stands.

Dismissing the Municipal Commissioner's contention, the petitioners produced documents which proved they had been running shops, hotels and stalls at the same place since many years back, Neeta said.

Subsequently, the MHRC directed the authority concerned to investigate the claims made by the petitioners and allot them plots/stalls if their claims are found true.

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