Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 27 2008:
From tomorrow, street vendors will resume their trade at the sides of streets of Khwairamband market as usual, said the joint action committee of street vendors who have been driven off for the last few days.
Speaking to reporters at Hapta Kangjeibung here today, JAC president Sapam Memcha said that the street vendors following eviction by Imphal Municipal Council from the street sides of Khwairamband market have been urging upon the Government to arrange an alternative site for them since October 16 .
But the Government has failed to provide an alternative place.
As such, the street vendors have decided to return back to the spots of Khwairamband market streets they occupied earlier so that they can earn some profits ahead of the Ningol Chakkouba festival, said Memcha.
In the event of the Government resolving to drive them away anyway, the streets vendors would not budge from their spots and would defy the Government prohibition even if it costs their lives, said the JAC president adding that they will occupy their former spots till the day of Ningol Chakkouba.
After Ningol Chakkouba, the street vendors will shift to any alternative site arranged by the Government provided the alternative site is suitable for selling vegetables and various other articles, the JAC informed.
The JAC further questioned the rationale of allowing 'outsiders' to continue their trades by the sides of streets just at the back of City police station while the women street vendors were driven off on the ground that they made the streets congested and filthy and that they pose greater hindrance at times of fire accidents.
Alleging that many women without vendor licences are also selling things in the temporary market sheds, they sought attention of the authority concerned to look into the matter.