Street vendors of Khwairamband market in Imphal have expressed their concerns on the Imphal Municipality Council officer’s alleged response to their enquiry on the allocation of seats at the newly constructed temporary market shed.
In a press meet held at the Manipur Press Club on Saturday, assistant secretary of Khwairamband Keithel Street Vendor Welfare Union L Nandita said that concerning the allocations of seats, the IMC authority has ignored the fourth market shed which is being constructed at Khwairamband Keithel temporary market.
She narrated that the street vendors had visited the IMC office to ask about seat allocation at the newly constructed shed but the IMC authority instead questioned them, “Who is constructing the market shed at the temporary market?” It was very unfortunate to hear such a reply from the authority, Nandita said.
She expressed that such acts puts a division among the street vendors who otherwise maintain a cordial relationship among themselves. The IMC officers also replied that they do not have any paper regarding the seat allocation at the temporary market shed, she further said and questioned whether the construction of the market shed is for the benefits of the rich people.
“Street vendors are running from pillar to post for the sake of survival. The numbers of street vendors are increasing everyday and if the IMC authority is violating the rights of the street vendors against these circumstances, then we will not remain silent. We will seek legal support,” Nandita added.
