IMPHAL, Sept 2: Normal business activities in Khwairamband
Keithel, the business hub of Manipur, were severely affected on
Saturday owing to a total shutdown observed by the vendors of
the Ima Keithel (all-women-run market).
The vendors imposed the shutdown to condemn the “fresh
offensive” launched against the settlement areas in Bishnupur-
Churachandpur border that claimed at least seven lives on both
the conflicting sides in the past few days.
Responding to the shutdown call, almost all the shops and
business centres in Khwairamband Keithel remained down their
shutters. Shops and other business establishments at Paona
and Thangal Bazar also joined the shutdown.
There were reports of suspension of business transactions in
other markets in the state capital and its outskirts showing
solidarity to the women vendors’ call.
Registering a strong condemnation to the “attacks on the
settlement areas” at Naranseina and Thamnapokpi in
Bishnupur district bordering Churachandpur district in the last
few days, the women vendors decided to observe the
shutdown.
While giving the shutdown call, Huirem Binodini, a
spokesperson of the four all-women-run markets had said that
the women vendors of Khwairamband were shocked and
deeply hurt by the recent “unrestrained aggression of Kuki
militants who bombarded Meitei settlement areas at
Naranseina and Thamnapokpi”.
Condemning the “Kuki militants’ vicious aggression” and
expressing solidarity to the victims, markets and shops of
Thangal Keithel, Paona Keithel, Nagamapal and Uripok will
remain shut on Sunday, Binodini had said. (NNN)
