Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, Aug 13:
The vendors of Ukhrul’s Ava Market, also known as Ema Market, have reached a tipping point. Represented by the Zaoranao Sinshim Women Vendors’ Association (ZSWVA), these women, many of whom are the primary breadwinners of their families, are grappling with a surge in thefts and a controversial fee hike that threatens their already precarious livelihoods.
During a press conference held at the market on Monday, ZSWVA Chairperson Soso Zimik made an impassioned plea to Chief Minister N Biren Singh, urging him to address their long-neglected grievances. She painted a picture of a community in distress, struggling to cope with the dual pressures of increased financial burdens and an unsafe working environment.
The most immediate concern voiced by the vendors is the alarming rise in theft incidents within the market. The Ava Market, which serves as the district’s lone mother market, has seen two major thefts in recent weeks. On July 28, thieves made away with second-hand clothing valued at over Rs 50,000. Just weeks later, on August 12, another theft occurred, this time resulting in the loss of various items, including second-hand clothes and fruits, worth over Rs 30,200.
Zimik lamented the lack of response from local authorities despite repeated complaints from the vendors. Adding to their frustration, the authorities recently exempted the two current market caretakers from night shift duties, leaving the market vulnerable after hours. Instead of bolstering security, officials suggested that vendors follow the model of Imphal’s Ima Market, where women vendors take turns safeguarding their goods overnight. This proposal, according to Zimik, is impractical and unfair to the vendors, who are already stretched thin by their daily responsibilities.
“Expecting the vendors to secure the market premises at night is an additional burden that we cannot bear,” Zimik said. “We are now under constant stress, fearing the loss of our hard-earned merchandise, which is our only source of income.” She urged the authorities to immediately install CCTV cameras in the market to deter further thefts and restore a sense of security among the vendors.
Compounding these security concerns is the recent decision by the District-level Ava Market Committee to double the monthly vendor slot fee from Rs 150 to Rs 300. This fee hike, implemented after every five years, has sparked outrage among the vendors, who feel it disregards their financial hardships. For many of these women, the current fee is already a stretch, and the increase could push them further into economic distress.
Zimik recalled the positive impact the establishment of the women-only market had when it first opened in 2018. The market provided a dedicated space for women vendors who previously lacked proper facilities, empowering them and fostering a sense of community. “We appreciate our CM for this initiative, which we consider a significant step towards empowering women and supporting economically disadvantaged womenfolk,” she said. However, she expressed concern that the recent developments could undermine these gains.
Adding to their grievances, the vendors have also been inconvenienced by the removal of two charging stations on the ground floor of the market, which they relied on to charge their mobile phones. The authorities made this change without any prior notification, further straining the vendors’ ability to conduct their businesses smoothly.
The District-level Ava Market Committee, in its July 23 meeting, had resolved to adopt the Imphal model, where vendors take turns guarding the market. However, Zimik and the other vendors argue that this approach is not suitable for Ava Market, given the unique challenges they face. The committee also discussed the installation of CCTV cameras and rainwater harvesting systems, but these issues were deferred to a future meeting, leaving the vendors’ concerns largely unaddressed for now.
