Imphal, April 28: Decrying monetary demands of UG groups, all the shops of Awang Sekmai bazar were closed while the shopkeepers staged a protest sitting.

During the protest sitting, the protesters put up placards and festoons which read as "Stop shooting civilians", "Don't harass self-employees", "We want to live in peace", "Don't rob hard earned money at gun point", "Don't make irrational demands" etc.

A shopkeeper who participated in the protest sitting, on condition of anonymity, disclosed that two individuals came to Sekmai bazar on April 24 and demanded Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 in the name of one Rabi belonging to a UG group as annual tax for this year.

The demand was made verbally without producing any written document or relevant letterhead, he informed.

The demand was made to all the 120 shops opened between Sekmai bazar to Pangaltabi.

The UG cadres came again on April 26 and asked to pay their 'tax' without any delay else the shops should shut down, conveyed the shopkeeper.

Following the threat to close down shops if their demands are not met, the shopkeepers held a meeting yesterday and resolved to stage a wakat meepham today.

As of now, the shopkeepers have not taken any decision to give the amount demanded by the UG group.

Rather, the shopkeepers would take up further protest agitation in case they cannot come to an understanding with the UG group concerned, he informed.

However, all the shops would be opened tomorrow, he added.

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