Shops down shutters to protest eviction drive
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 24 2025: The Manipur government temporarily halted its ongoing eviction drives on Thursday after strong resistance from shopkeepers, who shut down their businesses and commercial establishments across Thangal Bazar in the heart of Imphal city.

The government had launched the drive as part of a broader initiative to clear encroachments from public roads and government spaces.

However, law enforcement teams from Imphal West district, supported by police and municipal officials, left the area without removing the temporary and semi-permanent structures, such as extended shop fronts, sheds, and makeshift stalls, that encroached on public property.

Due to the complete closure of shops, Thangal Bazar wore a deserted look.

The shopkeepers refused to cooperate with officials and protested collectively, alleging that the authorities failed to issue proper prior notice or consult stakeholders before launching the eviction.

Imphal Wesy deputy commissioner Mayanglambam Rajkumar Singh, expressed disappointment over the widespread misuse of public infrastructure, especially footpaths, which shopkeepers had taken over for commercial use.

He stated that despite multiple eviction notices issued in 2022, 2024, early 2025, and most recently on July 4, the illegal occupation continued, forcing district authorities to take firm action.

The DC said the administration would recover removal charges for dismantled structures and debris from the owners.

He added that the authorities had already served notices, and if owners failed to pay within 10 days, the administration would initiate further penal action.

He also urged the public to support the district administration's efforts, emphasising the importance of protecting public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and drainage systems for the greater good.

Meanwhile, the eviction drives that began on July 12, 2025, proceeded smoothly in other parts of the Imphal West district, including Singjamei, Uripok, Keishampat, and Thangmeiband.

Meanwhile, Association of Victims of Plot Owner of Thangal Bazar and Paona Bazar announced an indefinite shutter down protest against the ongoing eviction drive carried out by the government.

In solidarity with the announcement of the Association, which was formed instantaneously on Wednesday, majority of the shops at Alu Galli of Thangal Bazar along with those at Khoyathong end and Majorkhul downed the shutters for the day, though shops in Paona Bazar remained open as usual.

The People's Chronicle came across pharmacies, hardware and most shops, in Thangal Bazar, Alu Galli, Khoyathong and Majorkhul areas closed.

However, there were no such closure from Keishampat to Paona Bazar, apparently hinting that some plot owners are in support of the government's action, while others opposed.

A shopkeeper at Thangal Bazar informed that the members of the new Association urged the shops on Thursday morning to cease service.

As such, they did not sell anything to customers in the morning.

Moreover, as the first day of the lunar month falls on Friday, all the shops will automatically be closed.

The shopkeeper continued that the shops are their only source of livelihood and it would not be possible to pay the rent if the shutdown continues.

Furthermore, they had no objection to the action taken up by the government in accordance to the law, the said the shopkeeper speaking on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, Association convenor Yogesh Jain said that in compliance with the government's order, the encroachments are being removed.

However, as the government decided to use excavator to remove the protruding structures, possibility of collapse of older buildings cannot be ruled out.

As such, the government action prompted the plot owners to launch the protest, Yogesh reasoned.

Urging the government to make its intent crystal clear to the people, Yogesh said that any forced removal must be avoided.

The government must make it clear to the people what to do and what not to do, he stated, while informing that the shutter down protest would continue until an agreement is reached with the government.

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