IT News
Thoubal, Oct 6:
Shopkeepers, including pharmacists, at Wangjing Lamding Keithel staged a protest today, shutting down their businesses in response to what they termed as unbearable monetary demands. The protestors blocked half of National Highway 102 in front of the market complex, disrupting traffic.
Organized by the Wangjing Lamding Shopkeepers’ Association, the protest saw members strongly objecting to any monetary demands, whether made by groups or individuals. Protesters carried placards with slogans such as “We are all Meitei, don’t terrorize us,” as they expressed their frustration over the increasing financial pressures. All business activities came to a standstill as the market remained completely shut.
Khundrakpam Gunamani, an advisor to the shopkeepers’ association who participated in the demonstration, said the situation had become increasingly difficult since the outbreak of the crisis on May 3 last year. “We are living in a frying pan,” he remarked, noting that the crisis had severely impacted sales. “We are trying to protect our motherland, educate our children, and fulfill our duties. But if we are forced to shut down our market due to these demands, we will have no means to earn a living,” Gunamani added.
The shopkeepers said they have been supporting their community physically, mentally, and financially, extending help to village defenders during the ongoing crisis. However, they made it clear that their protest was not directed against any specific organization but against the unbearable monetary demands being made.
Placards with messages such as “Stop monetary demands from shopkeepers” and “Don’t take advantage of the crisis” were displayed throughout the protest, calling for an end to these practices.