Mother's market traders want shops repaired, better schemes,

The politics of poll bound Manipur may revolve around the economic blockade, but women traders of Mother's market here want their shops damaged in an earthquake a year ago to be repaired soon.

Mother's market or 'Ima Kheitel' in Manipuri is centuries old and is the largest women run market in Asia. It is not just a market but a sign of empowerment of women.

More than 5000 women sell fish, vegetables, bamboo and metal craft, dry fish, 'phaneks (sarongs)' and 'innephis' (stoles), herbs, bangles and other items in it.

But an earthquake on January 4 last year served a blow to the market as many structures were damaged.

"Our market got badly damaged in the earthquake. One year has passed but repair work is still going on and we are yet to get back our shops," Yasomati, a trader, told

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)