Women’s only bazar at Dimapur needed to help local women vendors

While it has been accepted that an overwhelming number of shops and business establishments in Dimapur are run or managed or owned by non-Nagas; yet a majority of footpath or roadside vendors selling local items are Naga women.
However, the Naga women including those from other tribal communities are being deprived of allotment of stalls either within New Market or other market areas in Dimapur.
Non-local Naga traders, especially suspected immigrants occupy most of the stalls and shops in New Market and other places.
In most cases, it was reported that though the shop licences are in the name of local Nagas; yet the persons who actually run and own the shop are mostly suspected immigrants.
A woman vendor selling vegetable and other local items at New Market told this Reporter that she had to sit on the ground without any shelter but with an umbrella since she could not obtain any stall.
It was speculated that shops allotted to some local persons are eventually either sold to non-locals or sub-let and that is why the genuine women vendors are being deprived.
The women vendor even went on say that most of them have no option but to pitch their stalls outside the shops occupied by non-locals. At times the women were verbally abused. “We have become slaves in our own land,” she said.
Even local owners of RCC buildings seem to be more inclined in renting out to suspected illegal immigrants because they are able to pay good sum as rent.
Some of the women opined that the local administration and civic bodies including ward committee should seriously consider providing space especially for sale of local indigenous products which are in high demand.
Another vendor, an elderly woman, spoke on how non-local vendors through financial support from their organisations, were able to get shopping spaces at RCC buildings while the local women vendors are made to set up their business in open spaces along pavements.
Asked whether she would be willing to shift to any other location especially meant for local and indigenous products, she was willing but that such alternative places have to be easily accessible.
The local vendors said they would be happy to sell their products in clean and hygienic locations.
Another vendor pointed out that selling on footpaths or empty spaces during rainy season was the most difficult. She said whenever rain falls, all of them would have to pack up their wares and head home or else get themselves totally drenched in the downpour.
The idea of an exclusive “Naga Market” for sale of local and indigenous items was widely welcomed by all those women vendors.
Perhaps it would be a good idea of the authorities designate and start a ‘Women Only Bazaar’ like Imphal’s well known ‘Ima Market’or Mothers’ market which has achieved national acclaim.