IMPHAL, January 5: Claiming that absence of quality control in the construction of New Market complex and Tampha Keithel at Yairipok Bazar, Thoubal district led to cave in of its pillars in the massive earthquake that shocked the State on January 3 early morning, women vendors staged a sit-in-protest in front of the New Market complex today.
Meanwhile, Federation of Clubs Yairipok submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through local MLA Keisham Meghachandra urging to construct the market sheds newly and arrange temporary sheds for the women vendors.
According to the women vendors, it will be dangerous for them to sell wares at the market sheds as most of its pillars collapsed in the deadly earthquake. The market sheds have been closed following the natural calamity.
It is reported that when some officials tried to repair the pillars using iron pole for temporary, locals intervened and stopped the officials from doing so.
The New Market complex was inaugurated by ex-Works Minister K Ranjit in October, 2009. Construction of upper portion of the market shed is yet to be completed.
A public meeting organized by Federation of Clubs Yairipok on January 3 following the destruction caused to the market sheds in the earthquake resolved to urge the authorities concerned to newly construct the market sheds instead of temporary restoration.
The memorandum of the club urged the CM to entrust the new construction of the market sheds to outside reputed firm so as to maintain quality control.