Caution against male vendors at Khwairamband not all effective so far

IMPHAL | Apr 15 : Restricting male vendors from selling their products at surrounding areas of Ima Keithel, minister of municipal administration, housing and urban development (MAHUD), Th. Shyamkumar had cautioned male vendors to vacate from the unique women market immediately. But there is no sign the instruction of the minister is complied.

Shyamkumar had stated that “Male vendors are no more allowed to sell goods at the surrounding areas of the historic Ima Keithel as women vendors have been the custodians of the place since time immemorial” during a press conference held at his office chamber on Friday.

He cautioned that legal action will be taken under the Manipur Municipalities Act, 2004 if any male vendor is found selling goods at the Asia’s largest all-women’s market and advised them to remove their goods immediately.

In connection with the minister’s announcement, IFP today visited at Khwairamband Ima market and found some male vendors busy trading video CDs, jewellery items, and clothes among many at different locations of the market area.

The women vendors who are individually popular as Ima have different opinions in connection with the presence of male vendors in and at the surrounding of the traditionally unique women market.

One Ima stated that “I don’t know whether the department people came for inspection or not. Through newspaper I got to know the announcement made by our minister. It is a welcoming move for us and will also help to preserve and protect the beauty and meaning of Ima Keithel.”

It was later learnt that a team of Imphal Municipal Corporation official lead by Gyanendra Ksh conducted a drive against the presence of male vendors in the market area. He told this IPF reporter that the drive was conducted at all the four markets at around 9 a.m. and advised them to vacate from the market place very soon.

Another Ima, who is in 60s, also commented that it might be because of making the notice in short duration the man vendors are not vacating their place. “Sometimes people who are around here are not informed at all. Even I came to know about the recent declaration today only when you talked to me. I thought the notice will turn into practice if the concerned authority gives some effort in spreading awareness about it.”

I don’t mind KEDO (Kanglei Economic Development People) people selling their product inside the Keithel as they really help us in our day-to-day economic activities in many ways and their contribution is immense. “I think it is not wrong to support them.” But other man should be strictly prohibited, said a third Ima.

On the contrary, another Ima stated that we should not do such discrimination and biasness. If the norm is going to implement then it should be applied to every man. “In the name of supplying the product in wholesale price to women vendor, men vendors started conducting their economic activities in this women market. But in reality their involvement gives a major setback in our business activities”, she added.