Women vendors demand immediate revocation of order, threaten extreme agitations

IMPHAL, Jul 12 : Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup has warned to take up stringent agitations if the order issued by Imphal Municipal Council, allowing the setting up of organisations' office right above Khwairamband Nupi Keithel, is not revoked within July 15.
Speaking at a press meet held at Khwairamband Nupi Keithel no 1 today, Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup secretary Thingujam ongbi Rani said that Khwairamband Keithel has stood tall since time immemorial, for being the only very first women market of the State.
IMC Mayor, allegedly with an intention to tarnish the image of Ema Keithel, issued an order granting permit for opening offices of organisations above the three Nupi Keithels, against the rule, Rani said.
She denounced that such temporary and unreasonable actions are carried out allegedly for personal gains and to destroy the pride of the three markets.
Rani claimed that this is a huge challenge to the women vendors of the Khwairamband market, a place well known even in the international arena.
Continuing that IMC Mayor issued the order in 2018 where MASEL, KEDO and AMUC were granted permission to open their office in Nupi Keithel no 1, no 2 and no 3 respectively, the organisation repeatedly appealed to the Mayor to revoke the order. A representation was also submitted to MAHUD Minister as well, Rani added.
Following the ignorant attitude of the authorities concerned,  the women vendors addressed the matter to Chief Minister following which the CM directed the IMC Mayor to revoke the order instantly.
However, the Mayor has neglected the CM's direction and ignored the pleas of the women vendors till date.
Rani further narrated that, in the past, most non-Manipuris used to carry out the work of transporting the goods and commodities of the women vendors but now the work has been replaced mostly by the unemployed youth of the State.
They look after the goods every night and when the women vendors arrive in the morning, the open space above the market is used as resting place for those who are engaged in the work.
However, setting up permanent offices above the markets is unacceptable and inconvenient to the women vendors, Rani added.
She questioned what distinctive and beneficial work has the IMC done for the women vendors before and after the construction of the market sheds.
Conveying that the IMC has been collecting tax from all the people conducting business in the markets, Rani added that  it is the responsibility of the IMC to look after the needs of the market and its vendors.
She further stated that any developmental activities taken up by the Government is welcomed by the women vendors but  the authorities should take permission from the women vendors first.
Rani warned the authorities concerned to revoke the order at the earliest failing which the women vendors of the three markets are set to launch stringent agitation at the earliest.