Women vendors of iconic all-women market (Ima Keithel) in Imphal on Thursday demanded re-opening of the market which has remained shut since March this year as a part of precautionary measure to check spread of COVID-19.
Addressing a press conference at Manipur Press Club Imphal on Thursday, the women vendors drew the attention of the state government to allow them running their business in view of the upcoming Ningol-Chakouba festival which falls on November 17.
A license vendor Y Ibeyaima while drawing the government’s attention towards opening the market said that even as the market is closed for such a long time, other market places across the state are operating with the unlocking of the COVID-19 induced lockdown.
She said that vendors who are dependent on their petty business in this market are reeling under immense hardship owing to the prolonged closure of the market.
The vendor then said that there have been mass gatherings in the poll bound Assembly constituencies in the state. “None including the state government dares to follow the guidelines to contain the spread of the pandemic”, she alleged.
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