IMPHAL, April 21 (NNN): Streets at the Khwairamband Keithel in the heart of the Imphal turned into a battlefield on Wednesday as agitating street vendors clashed with police, injuring some women vendors. The clash erupted on the streets at the iconic all-women market complex in the heart of Imphal after police evicted them as per an order of the Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) prohibiting those selling things after 8 am.
Earlier, defying the order, a large number of street vendors continued their business activities. When teams of city police evicted them, the street vendors rose up in anger and agitated while demanding revocation of the order restricting their vending hours. The street vendors confronted the police as the latter baton-charged them. Amid the clash, the street vendors shouted slogans against the order of the IMC. Some women street vendors sustained injuries in the police action. Few of them were rushed to the nearby hospitals. As the street vendors continued to agitate against the order, additional police force including women personnel were called out and tried to disperse them.
The street vendors demanded a proper space to carry out their business near the Khwairamband market while reiterating that the space provided at Lamphel Supermarket is not suited for their business. They vowed to continue their agitation till the authorities of the state government arrange a proper space or allow them to continue their business as done earlier.
