Yairipok Keithel protests extortions
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal/Thoubal, May 16 2024: Even as the security forces arrested four cadres of KCP (PWG) with extortion letters and arms and ammunition from Yairipok Keithel, shopkeepers staged a protest at the same keithel by ceasing work for the day against different organisations serving burdensome monetary demand on them, today.

A combined team of Thoubal commandos and 33 Assam Rifles arrested the four cadres of KCP (PWG) from Yairipok Keithel today along with extortion letters and arms and ammunition and they have been identified as Sinam Bijen @ Mangang Meetei (38), s/o S Joy of Ingourok Awang Leikai; Angom Ingo @ Apa Singh (53), s/o Late A Kula Singh of Nongpok Sekmai Ward no 3; Warepam Jayenta Singh (36), s/o Late W Ibomcha Singh of Khamaran Makha Leikai and Oinam Naocha @ Max Singh (24) s/o O Biren Singh of Moidangpok Khunjao Awang Leikai.

Yairipok Keithel protests extortions

From their possession, five mobile handsets, two 9mm pistols along with magazine and 15 live rounds, five demand letters, 20 live rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, four live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and one A-Star Car were seized.

The arrested persons have been handed over to Yairipok police station along with the seized items.

Meanwhile at Yairipok Keithel, different shopkeepers, while staging a protest, said that different organisations serving onerous monetary demands on them has made them anxious and they may close their shops for good as the demands are taxing.

All shops, chemist shops, street vendors and banks at Yairipok Keithel were closed for the day during the protest organised by All Yairipok Dukandar Association (AYDA) .

Other than some private vehicles, no passenger service was seen at Yairipok Keithel as all the shops were closed.

Speaking to the media, AYDA president Lairikyengbam Shyamchoron said that shopkeepers at Yairipok Keithel have been doing whatever they can and extending all sorts of support to those in the frontline to protect the unity and integrity of Manipur since the crisis in Manipur broke out on May 3 last year.

Saying that they have donated money to different organisations fighting for the cause of Manipur on different occasions and sometimes even more than what the organisations sought, he added that they have donated money ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 on several occasions.

However, some organisations serving monetary demand as high as Rs 2,00,000 to Rs 3,00,000 almost everyday have burdened the shopkeepers to a great extent, Shyamchoron said and added that they may not be able to run their shops.

Appealing to all concerned to not put the traders and shopkeepers in a tight spot by serving burdensome monetary demand, he added that it would be beneficial for all if all the organisations concerned come together and work out something which is acceptable to all with the shopkeepers and traders at Yairipok Keithel.