Kakching Lamkhai traders stage sit-in against extortion demands
Source: The Sangai Express

Kakching, June 06 2026: Members of the Kakching Lamkhai Bazar Board (KLBB) on Saturday staged a sit-in protest in front of the Kakching Lamkhai Forest Office, partially blocking National Highway-102, to protest against frequent and unbearable monetary demands imposed by various organisations on local shopkeepers and small business owners.

The protest, which led to the suspension of business activities in the market area for the day, drew participation from numerous traders and vendors who voiced their grievances over repeated demands for financial contributions amid an already difficult economic situation.

Speaking to the media.

KLBB advisor Yengkhom Nimai said that the people have been enduring severe hardships since the outbreak of violence in the State on May 3, 2023.He noted that many small business owners at Kakching Lamkhai struggle to earn enough to support their families, with some shops reportedly going days without making a single sale.

He alleged that despite the financial difficulties faced by traders, certain organisations continue to seek monetary assistance through phone calls and messages on a regular basis.

According to him, the declining business environment has forced several shopkeepers, hotel owners and other entrepreneurs to shut down their establishments and take up daily wage labour to sustain their livelihoods.

Stating that the continued demands have become unbearable, Nimai asserted that the Kakching Lamkhai Bazar Board would not be able to provide any financial contributions and appealed to all concerned organisations to refrain from making such demands in the future.

KLBB executive member Kshtrimayum Sandyarani also expressed concern over what she described as threats and intimidation faced by members of the market body.

She alleged that some individuals claiming to represent certain organisations have been repeatedly seeking financial assistance from the board's executive members through phone calls and messages, warning of consequences if their demands are not met.

She maintained that given the poor sales and economic hardships currently affecting traders, they are in no position to provide financial assistance to any organisation and urged all concerned not to continue such demands in the future.

During the protest, demonstrators displayed placards bearing slogans such as "Don't Let Us Suffer by Levying Frequent Monetary Demands," "Stop Harassing Us," "No Force, No Guns," and "Let's Live Together in Peace for the Betterment of the Next Generation" .

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