Barbers protest assault
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 13, 2013:
Members of All Manipur Barbers' Association staged a sit-in-protest at the Hall of Manipur Press Club today decrying assault on some barbers allegedly by the volunteers of AMSU.
Around 60 barbers took part in the protest held from 11 am till around 3 pm.
Speaking to media persons, Secretary of All Manipur Barbers' Association Pappu Thakur said that some persons claiming to be students called up some barbers from Paona Bazar near Pratap Talkies and assaulted them at the office of AMSU on Thursday.
The injured barbers were Lalit Thakur (24), Jangu Thakur (48), Bikash Thakur (32) and Ramakant Thakur (22).All of them are permanent residents of Bihar.
He alleged that the AMSU volunteers had even snatched a mobile phone and Rs.4000 cash from the barbers.
Pappu further clarified that the Barbers' Association has fixed the rate for hair cutting and shaving as per the order of Labour Department and there is no question of overcharging the customers.
Meanwhile, the volunteers of AMSU who came to Manipur Press Club clarified that the barbers were not assaulted, but they were simply advised not to overcharge their customers.
They also clarified that the sum of Rs.4000 was taken as a fine and the mobile handset was retained at the AMSU office as the owner had not turned up to collect it.