IT News
Imphal, July 12,
A body of Khwairamband Keithel vendor ladies called Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham amadi Saktam Kanba Lup, today warned the Mayor of Imphal Municipal Corporation of dire consequences if he fail to cancel the allotment order for opening of a office to a male organization at the first floor of the Khwairamband Keithel by July 15.
Speaking to media persons, Thingujam Ongbi Rani Devi, Secretary, Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham amadi Saktam Kanba Lup, said that the present Mayor of IMC, Mr. Lokeshwor had issued an order for allotment of office for a male organization inside the Khwairamband Nupi Keithel in 2018. Since then, the vendor ladies’ organization had been urging the mayor to cancel the order, and then took the matter to MAHUD Minister. MAHUD Minister himself had called him and conveyed the demand of the Keithel ladies to the Mayor.
Rani further said that, they had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister over the allotment of male office at the Khwairamband Keithel stating that the sanctity of the Khwairambandh Keithel, which is famous across the globe for being the only women market, is going to be sabotaged by Lokeshwor, the Mayor of the IMC. While submitting the memorandum, the Chief Minister personally called the Mayor asking him to cancel the order as it would sabotage the sanctity of the only women market in the world. However, till today the order has not been cancelled.
Since the last many years non-Manipuri porter have been working in the Khwairamband Keithel, but in the last few years the non-Manipuri labours have been replaced by the youth of the state. For this local labourers the vendor ladies have been providing their shelter at the sheds that they have been taking care of. The Keithel ladies have been providing all facilities, even a makeshift room at the first floor room for taking rest when Keithel lady starts their business. However, the Keithel lady would not accept opening of a separate office for them.
Since the last many years the three Khwairamband Keithel has been recorded for women only. And if the male office is opened the sanctity and the unique identity of the women market will be lost, Rani said.
She further questioned the IMC authority if anything for the welfare of the three market shed had been done by them.
“The IMC is the authority of the three Khwairamband Keithel and so far since the construction of the new market building nothing has been done for the three market buildings’ Rani added.
She added that the tax from the market has been collected by them and it should be them that should be looking for the welfare of the Markets.
These Mayors or councilors had never taken up any works for the welfare of the three Khwairamband Keithel except collecting money for their own pocket.
Rani said that the women vendor appreciate all kind of developmental works taken up for the markets but that should be taken up in consultation with the vendor ladies of Khwairamband Keithel, failing which the vendor ladies is left with no choice but to rise against them.
