Women street vendors launch fast-unto-death protest against the order of Rotational Vendors
HY News
23 December, 2022 02:27 pm IST
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In continuation of the protest by the women street vendors at the temporary market, Manipur, 12 mothers have launched the fast-unto death reprimanding the Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) mandate to limit the vending hours at the temporary Ima Market in Imphal West to six hours, from 6 am to 12 noon.
The twelve mothers who are undergoing hunger strikes are Advisor of the Roadside Street Vendors Welfare Association (RSVWA), Ima Khumukcham Ibeton from Canchipur, Ima Laishram Ngangbi from Khangabok, Ima W Inaobi from Singjamei, Ima Jano Begum from Kshetrigao, Ima Rk Sorojani from Naorem Konjeng, Ima Kiranmala Thongbam from Keishamthong, Ima Khoisnam Sunita from Khurai, Chabungbam Bijeti from Khurai, Premika Thaonaojam from Motum Phibou, Laishram Apabi from Kongba and Gurumayum Irabati from Wahengbam Leikai.
Advisor of RSVWA, Kh Ibeton, who led the fast-unto-death protest recounted that the stipulated time of vending given by the IMC is not even viable for the minimum sales to earn their livelihood, especially in this winter session and after facing lots of tribulations during two years of covid.
She said they already made an appeal to the MAHUD minister to lift the restrictions; however, his silent act has exhorted the vendors to take up such agitation.
“We will die for this cause, as it is better than living without our rights and no way of livelihood to run our families,” "We are living in hand-to-mouth situations from whatever we earned from this market," said Ibeton.
Disheartened mothers at the temporary market shout slogans to revoke the order or face do-or-die consequences.
The large protestors demanded the withdrawal of the recent Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) order where street vendors were recommended to sell things on a rotational basis. The order infuriated various street vendor organizations which jointly staged a sit-in protest at Temporary Ima Market, Khwairamband Ima Keithel, Imphal since Saturday- and continue with fast-unto-death until their demands are met.
The furious protesters also thronged towards the residence of MAHUD Minister Yumnam Khemchand requesting to consider the order earlier. However, got disheartened as the minister allegedly not responded to them properly.
The order of IMC was issued on December 13. As per the order, they are allowed to sell things at a specific time, from 6 am to 12 noon. But it is not practicable as they won’t be able to earn much within this timing and may not be able to sell even a single thing, they said and urged the state government to revoke the order.
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