Imphal, October 18 2008: Aggrieved over the eviction drive being launched by the police thus depriving them of earning their daily income, street vendors of Khwairamband Market area have called an indefinite general strike from tomorrow demanding that Government provide an alternative site for them to sell their goods.

Police have been launching eviction drive at different parts of the Market area such as Maharani bridge, on either sides and underneath the BT flyover, Nagamapal Road, in front of Johnstone Higher Secondary School, Shamumakhong, Allu Gulli, Thong Nambonbi, Masjid Road and Wahengbam Leikai where womenfolk coming from all over the State used to selling vegetables and other commodities.

After being evicted, around 1000 women street vendors today converged at Manipur Press Club where they highlighted their plight to mediapersons.

One Thokchom Subadani of Thoubal Haokha who used to sell vegetables and other goods from the roadside of Allu Gulli said many poor women like her who have no permanent plot have been selling their goods from a corner of the road to eke out a living.

However, after being evicted, they have no place to go.

How are we supposed to feed our children, if we are not being allowed to sell vegetables and other goods from the road side ?, she questioned.

Mina Bibi of Yairipok Tulihal exhorted street vendors irrespective of their community and caste to join hands and exert pressure on the Government so as to make an arrangement for them to sell their goods peacefully.

Until and unless an alternative site has been provided, we should be allowed to sell goods from the road side, the agitating womenfolk demanded, adding that after the completion of the three pucca markets being constructed, they should be given plot in the present temporary market sheds.

They also announced that if the Government does not understand their plight and is not ready to listen to their genuine demand, then an indefinite general strike would be called in whole of Manipur starting from 5 am tomorrow.

No goods would also be allowed to be brought to Khwairamband Market, they said, adding that any one found selling their goods in defiance of the general strike would be imposed a fine of Rs 500 .

Decrying the conduct of the police personnel, the womenfolk said that their wares were kicked around and scattered by the police and treated them like second class citizens.

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