IMPHAL July 1: Women society of Ekou bazaar under Khundrakpam A/C, Imphal east consisting of various communities today protested against the imposition of heavy monetary demands and threats met out to them by an alleged hill based proscribed outfit.
A sit in protest was held in this connection at the Ekou bazaar from 9 am to 4 pm today, demanding the alleged proscribed outfit to rethink and revoke their demands and refrain from any activities that may compromise the peaceful co-existence of different communities in Ekou area.
Agitated at the heavy monetary demands and the accompanying threats, one of the villagers, L. Leibakleima, ex-secretary, Meira Paibi Lup (women society) Ekou bazaar lamented that the demand is unreasonable and is beyond their meager source of income, who survive predominantly from petty agricultural activities.
It may be mentioned that a heavy monetary demand of Rs 2 lakhs was imposed on one S. Ibochouba with dire consequences if he failed to meet within July 3.
Initially, it was said that the demand was for 1 lakh. However it was increased with another one lakh as a consequence of one of the alleged outfit’s associate being apprehended by a commando team during frisking on his way to a place at Sapermeina.
The arrested individual was accompanying S. Ibochouba and a relative for a meeting called by the alleged outfit.
S. Angoubi devi, secretary, Meira Paibi Lup Ekou bazaar said that the 1-2 lakhs demand is impossible for them to manage. She added that they condemned imposition of the monetary demands and other threats that may endanger the very foundation of communal harmony in the area.
The women society further lamented that the said outfit is also imposing illegal tax from shops and other small commercial establishment in Ekou bazaar.
Further, they alleged that previously on many occasion, the said outfit was involved in many unlawful activities that created apprehension and concern to different communities living in Ekou.
