Women vendors warn
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 10 2025: Ima Panthoibi Street Vendors Union (IPSVU) has threatened to launch intense protests if the Government clears out the street vendors on the northern and southern side of Dingku Road, Khuman Lampak.

Speaking to media persons at Thangjing Hall of Manipur Press Club today, Khomdram Chandrajini, president, IPSVU said that street vendors belonging to Meitei, Tangkhul, Kabui and Muslim communities have sold their wares on either side of Dingku Road to earn a livelihood since 2011 .

Recently, Manipur Police personnel went on a publicity drive instructing them to clear out by 3 pm of July 11, she said.

Considering the plight of the daily wage earners, she has appealed to the authority concerned to refrain from clearing out the street vendors until preparations are made to first relocate them to another site.

During the time of former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh in 2014, plans were underway to build a market shed for the street vendors here.

Despite repeated appeals from the Union's side, those plans have not materialized till date, she added.

Meanwhile, general secretary Sapam Indira Devi said that Imphal West Deputy Commissioner issued a notice on July 5 prohibiting them from vending their goods along Dingku Road.

She also recalled a previous instance when the vendors staged a sit-in protest when they were directed to stop selling their wares here.

The general secretary urged the Government to revoke the order or allow them to continue their work until a site is identified for their relocation.

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