Unauthorised structures dismantled, locals protest
Source: Chronicle News Service

Thoubal, July 31 2025: Thoubal district administration on Thursday launched an eviction drive, dismantling several illegal structures, including shops and residences found encroaching on government land and public spaces at various locations in the district.

During the eviction drive, led by deputy commissioner Hannah Kamei and officials from various government departments, unauthorised structures were removed from Thoubal Melaground, Yairipok Lamkhai, Athokpam Arongthong, along the National Highway 102 (Imphal-Moreh road), and near the main gate of Thoubal District Hospital.

In this regard, DC Hannah Kamei reminded that police personnel and Municipal Council operatives had issued eviction notices on July 22, instructing the encroachers to voluntarily remove the illegal constructions on government land by July 30 .

Unauthorised structures dismantled, locals protest

She informed that similar eviction drives would be carried out in other parts of the district.

Meanwhile, protesting the eviction drive during which structures creating employment for many and local club building serving as relaxation centre for senior citizens were targeted, denizens of Athokpam Khunou questioned whether the district administration will also dismantle all structures in lanes and by-lanes across the district.

Addressing the media at Thoubal Athokpam Khunou on Thursday, Senior Citizen Welfare Association secretary Longjam Mohori Singh, joint secretary K Muhindro and one Bhaharjit Ahongshangbam lamented that office of the Association, which has been working for welfare of elderlies and annexed to local club building was dismantled in Thursday's eviction drive.

They claimed that a team of Thoubal DC and staff provided time for removing items from the office room before razing the building.

While claiming that the eviction team arrived without any prior information, they recounted that the building targeted was initially constructed with financial assistance by the then Khangabok MLA Okram Landhoni and the same completed in 2024 with funding from Local Area Development Fund of incumbent MLA O Surjakumar.

They further decried that a public toilet beside the local club building, which was built over 10 years back with funding by the.

MAHUD Department, was also dismantle during the eviction.

While pledging support to public welfare initiative undertaken by the Thoubal DC, the members, however, described as condemnable that the local club and stakeholders concerned were not notified by the district administration before launch of the eviction drive.