Street vendors threaten to launch fast unto death stir
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 09 2013: Street vendors of Khwairamband Keithel have threatened to fast unto death if they are not allotted vendor plots by May 15 .

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, one street vendor said that the Government, by driving off street vendors from Khwairamband Keithel, has been violating their fundamental rights as well as their dependants including the right to life.

When the existing three market complexes were constructed, street vendors were told that their plots would be given on the first floors but even after three/four years have passed since the new market complexes were inaugurated, there is no indication of allotting vendor plots to street vendors at these market complexes, she decried.

Chief Minister O Ibobi repeatedly stated that the street vendors would be accommodated in the temporary market sheds once the licensed vendors shift to the three market complexes which were then under construction.

Saying that half of the temporary market sheds have been turned into parking lots, the woman questioned the Government's policy of turning market sheds into parking lots thereby forfeiting source of livelihood of hundreds of families.

The Government made an arrangement for street vendors at Lamphelpat but very few customers came and the daily business of street vendors failed miserably.

Whereas Manipuri women street vendors are prohibited from occupying any space in Khwairamband Keithel, non-local vendors are allowed to do their business on Khwairamband streets.

On the other hand, police personnel have been collecting certain amounts from street vendors on daily basis for allowing them to sell their merchandise on the streets for some hours.

In the meantime, some people have collected Rs 1700 to 7000 each from street vendors with an assurance of giving vendor plots but there is no sign of allotting plots street vendors so far.

In case the State Government does not provide vendor plots within Khwairmband Keithel by May 15, street vendors would launch a fast unto death strike, she said.

Police have been shooing away street vendors and confiscating their merchandise in the most inhuman manner since the past many years.

However, in spite of this humiliating experience, street vendors have been doing their business on the streets of Khwairamband Keithel because they have to keep their kitchen fire burning, buy medicines for sick family members and send their children to school.

"But it has been almost one month since we are not allowed to sell anything in the streets of Khwairamband Keithel.

It is our earnest request to allow us do our business in the streets of Khwairamband Keithel just for a few hours in a day", said another street vendor.

Of the street vendors who took part in the press meet, seven were widows, while husbands of 17 street vendors are invalids due to illness.

Husbands of the remaining women are lazy bones given to intoxicating substances and gambling who shares little concern for their families' daily requirements.

Saying that street vendors have been struggling hard every single day to meet their families' daily expenses, another street vendor confided that she could no longer afford her daughter's education after she completed class IX .

She further disclosed that one of her son has also given up formal education after completing class XII because she has no money.

"If the Government does not allow us earn our livelihood through our own labour in legal manner, there is no guarantee that hundreds and hundreds would not resort to illegal or criminal means in their struggle for livelihood", said another street vendor.

"It would be double tragedy if our children take to drugs out of frustration and hopelessness", she added.

For the past many years, street vendors have been demanding allotment of vendor plots at some appropriates sites within Imphal city.

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