Imphal: Street vendors of Imphal protested today against Manipur government’s delay in the inauguration of a temporary market meant for them.
The street vendors also confronted the police who tried to evict them from occupying the stalls which are yet to be inaugurated.
The temporary market located adjacent to the one of the three Ima Keithel (all-women-run market) which the construction started around 10 years ago is now ready for inauguration.
The allotment of stalls has also already been done. However, with the best reason known to the authorities, the market is yet to be inaugurated, the agitating street vendors alleged.
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All of a sudden, a large number of street vendors entered the newly constructed market and started occupying their respective stalls. They also shifted their goods.
When a team from the City police station rushed to the market and tried to disperse them, they confronted the women vendors who refused to leave the market.
“We will not retreat under any condition. We will occupy our stalls and start our business. We are at the limit of woes due to vending space problems,” Thongbam Kiranmala, a leader of the street vendors, told reporters.
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