Women vendors storm
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THOUBAL, Jun 2: A scuffle broke out between protesters and police, hurting one woman and a female police personnel at Thoubal today.
The commotion broke out when women vendors of Thoubal Keithel attempted to storm the office of the Thoubal Municipal Council.
The women protesters were demanding the Thoubal Municipal Council (TMC) to revoke Vishal Mega Mart's shop license.
For days, the women vendors of the Thoubal market have been opposing the opening of the Vishal Mega Mart in areas under the Thoubal market. Earlier, they had demanded the Mart shift its location beyond the market area.
Today, the women protesters asserted that they will not pay taxes to the TMC until the Mart's license is revoked.
After their bid to storm the office of the TMC was foiled at the gate by the police, a scuffle broke out.
A woman protester and a female police personnel were hurt in the scuffle.
Prevented from entering the TMC office, the women protesters sat in front the gate and continued their protest.
The protesters asserted that their business would be adversely impacted if the Vishal Mega Mart is allowed to open shop in Thoubal.
All small scale businesses in the market will be affected and forced to shut shop, they said.
The TMC and the authorities concerned must protect the interest of the vendors and protect "our livelihoods", they added.
On the other hand, the TMC has meanwhile urged women vendors to call off their stir.
Speaking to reporters, Thoubal Municipal Council's Caretaker Chairperson said the TMC cannot revoke the Vishal Mega Mart's license.
The license was given under the Manipur Municipalities Act, 1994. Revoking the license under pressure would be unlawful, said the TMC's Caretaker Chairperson.
He then blamed some women vendors who do not hold any vendor license for influencing genuine vendors to protest.
Closing the market forcibly and demanding revocation of a lawful license is against the law. The market shutting down has caused losses to many vendors who sell perishable items, he added.
He claimed the protest was launched even after multiple rounds of talks were held in presence of the women vendors, representatives of Vishal Mega Mart and the Deputy Commissioner.
The women vendors also met with him at the TMC office yesterday, said the TMC's caretaker Chairperson.
Even as a letter from the women vendors has been submitted to the "Government" to cancel the license, they should wait for the Government to consider and process it. Until the Government decides on the matter, Thoubal market should open normally, he said.
The commotion broke out when women vendors of Thoubal Keithel attempted to storm the office of the Thoubal Municipal Council.
The women protesters were demanding the Thoubal Municipal Council (TMC) to revoke Vishal Mega Mart's shop license.
For days, the women vendors of the Thoubal market have been opposing the opening of the Vishal Mega Mart in areas under the Thoubal market. Earlier, they had demanded the Mart shift its location beyond the market area.
Today, the women protesters asserted that they will not pay taxes to the TMC until the Mart's license is revoked.
After their bid to storm the office of the TMC was foiled at the gate by the police, a scuffle broke out.
A woman protester and a female police personnel were hurt in the scuffle.
Prevented from entering the TMC office, the women protesters sat in front the gate and continued their protest.
The protesters asserted that their business would be adversely impacted if the Vishal Mega Mart is allowed to open shop in Thoubal.
All small scale businesses in the market will be affected and forced to shut shop, they said.
The TMC and the authorities concerned must protect the interest of the vendors and protect "our livelihoods", they added.
On the other hand, the TMC has meanwhile urged women vendors to call off their stir.
Speaking to reporters, Thoubal Municipal Council's Caretaker Chairperson said the TMC cannot revoke the Vishal Mega Mart's license.
The license was given under the Manipur Municipalities Act, 1994. Revoking the license under pressure would be unlawful, said the TMC's Caretaker Chairperson.
He then blamed some women vendors who do not hold any vendor license for influencing genuine vendors to protest.
Closing the market forcibly and demanding revocation of a lawful license is against the law. The market shutting down has caused losses to many vendors who sell perishable items, he added.
He claimed the protest was launched even after multiple rounds of talks were held in presence of the women vendors, representatives of Vishal Mega Mart and the Deputy Commissioner.
The women vendors also met with him at the TMC office yesterday, said the TMC's caretaker Chairperson.
Even as a letter from the women vendors has been submitted to the "Government" to cancel the license, they should wait for the Government to consider and process it. Until the Government decides on the matter, Thoubal market should open normally, he said.