Thoubal traders threaten tax boycott, intensify stir over Vishal Mega Mart licence
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, June 01 2026: The Thoubal Keithel Phambi Mathak Makha has announced that small business owners and shopkeepers of Thoubal Keithel will stop paying all forms of taxes to the Thoubal Municipal Council (TMC) and launch intensified agitations from Tuesday unless the shop licence of Vishal Mega Mart is revoked.

Speaking to the media, secretary of Thoubal Keithel Phambi Mathak Makha, Irom Subhasini, alleged that the opening of Vishal Mega Mart on April 30 within the zerokilometre radius of Thoubal Keithel has severely affected the livelihoods of local traders and small-scale business owners.

Thoubal traders threaten tax boycott, intensify stir over Vishal Mega Mart licence

She said the organisation has been carrying out various forms of protest, including the closure of Thoubal Keithel, demanding cancellation of the store's licence.

However, following an appeal from the Senior Executive Officer and Caretaker Chairperson of TMC, who sought nine days' time stating that steps had been initiated to revoke the licence, the traders temporarily suspended the market shutdown from May 19 and resumed normal business activities.

According to Subhasini, the stipulated period has elapsed without any positive outcome.

She stated that women vendors and representatives of the market met TMC officials on Friday and again on Monday, but were informed that the municipal authority would not be able to revoke the licence of Vishal Mega Mart.

She further alleged that the response of the officials was disappointing and insensitive, claiming that remarks such as "do whatever you people want" were made.

Condemning what she described as the "arrogant attitude" of the municipal authority, Subhasini said the traders had expected TMC to safeguard the interests of local vendors and the traditional market She announced that until the licence of Vishal Mega Mart is revoked, traders of Thoubal Keithel will refrain from paying any form of tax to TMC .

She also declared that Thoubal Keithel will remain closed from Tuesday and that several other forms of intensified agitation will be launched in the coming days.