Earthquake-affected vendors compelled to set up stalls on streets in Imphal

The state government later assured them that the rehabilitation shed would be set up on the spaces between the markets in Thangal bazaar within 20 days.

Over 2000 women vendors have been compelled to set up temporary stalls on the streets of Khwairamband market in the heart of Imphal after they were displaced by the January 4 earthquake.

The earthquake-affected vendors on Monday decided to sit on the streets as the state government has still not made any arrangement to rehabilitate them.

The pre-dawn earthquake, measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale, had caused serious damage to two of the three buildings of Ima market (all-women market) which provided shelter to over 3000 vendors. While the vendors of one fo the buildings have resumed their business as it suffered lesser damage, the other two buildings have been declared totally unsafe for occupancy leaving over 2000 vendors without a shed.

The state government had earlier notified that a rehabilitation shed would be set up at the public parking of the Temporary Market, but the vendors refused to shift there, stating that the area is too small to accommodate all of them.

The state government later assured them that the rehabilitation shed would be set up on the spaces between the markets in Thangal bazaar within 20 days. However, as no sign of construction work has been seen on the proposed site, the affected vendors have been compelled to set up temporary stalls on the streets, footpaths and beneath the BT flyover.

Th. Shanti, President, Khwairamband Ima Kethel Semgat Sagatpa Lup informed that the women vendors have decided to sit on the streets till the government provides proper rehabilitation for them.

As the vendors have occupied the streets and footpaths, the BT road is facing huge traffic chaos. On the other hand, the vendors are complaining that their livelihood has been greatly affected after the earthquake.

“As the market has been scattered here and there, it has created confusion among the customers. As a result, sale has been greatly affected. If the government fails to fulfil its promise to rehabilitate the affected vendors within 20 days, we will suffer a lot as we have to pay loans,” Athokpam Renu, a vendor, said.

An expert team from IIT Roorkee had inspected the damaged Ima market buildings last week. Professor Dr Yogendra, who led the team, had said that the present situation of the other building is dangerous and suggested that it should be sealed until it is fully repaired.

He further said that the building does not need to be demolished nor any reconstruction is required. He added that it can be repaired and rehabilitated through extensive structural intervention after close analysis.