IMPHAL, January 19: “We will boycott the BJP in the State,”an office bearer of the Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinfam Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup was emphatic.
She continued: “MLA Joykishan has no concern for the nearly 4000 licensed market vendors and their families. Why is he acting like a ‘goonda,’ when there is no problem with building the temporary market shed which will bring reprieve for the women vendors.”
“We hail from all the 60 Assembly Constituencies, why is he concerned only about Thangmeiband?” she further asked.
The officer bearer identified as Rani was among scores of women volunteers of the organisation guarding the marketplace from those protesting the construction of a temporary market shed by blocking off Thangal Bazar Road.
Members of the Khwairamband Keithel Semgat Sagat Lup also joined in condemning the actions of the Thangmeiband Kendra Development Organization (TAKDO) who had imposed a strike in the market areas and Thangmeiband Assembly Constituency.
The women asserted that Joykishan is behind the strike and that it was only on his command and behest, that TAKDO announced the strike.
They stated that he did not raise any hue or cry when the Laxmi Bazaar and New Market were damaged in the earthquake.
“The area where the temporary shed is being constructed only occupies the space where there was parking for the vehicles earlier, there is more than 15-feet wide space along the road for vehicles of any size to pass freely, so why is Joykishan against this construction? What harm is there?” they questioned.
“Perhaps, he is feeling bad as he hasn’t got the construction work for the market shed,” the women alleged.
They further mentioned that since the BJP president cannot control his MLA, who has no good intentions for the public welfare, the two organizations will boycott the State BJP, and added that the MLA should not be partial and should work for the larger interest of the public.
They continued that the MLA should be held responsible for any untoward incident occurring to the women vendors or to the market place.
Meanwhile, despite the business establishments of Thangal bazaar remaining closed due to the bandh, women vendors in the Ima market area carried on business as usual.
They could not be pressured by the agitators of TAKDO to join the strike. Meanwhile, the building of the market shed at Thangal Bazar continues in full swing and under tight security.
Sources said that the Chief Minister is adamant on the cabinet decision to construct the shed despite the challenge from MLA Joykishan. The general strike ended at 5 pm today.