Manipur business community hopes for early return of peace

pur), June 27 (ANIThe business community here is highly insecure as they get an extortion call almost every day from individuals claiming association with underground insurgent groups.

By Sanjay Kumar

Imphal (Manipur), June 27 : The business community here is highly insecure as they get an extortion call almost every day from individuals claiming association with underground insurgent groups.

Anger is building up against the insurgents among various traders from medicine shops to vegetable vendors. They are keen that the authorities take stern action against these groups.

Medicine shops closed down their establishments to protest against insurgents for allegedly demanding one crore rupees from All Manipur Medical Representative Association and All Manipur Pharmaceutical and Druggists Association.

The medical shops being an essential service, the common man was the worst affected.

Ibomcha, a daily wager, said: "We are the people who earn daily bread to survive. Insurgents should think about the common people's main concern."

Ng. Indrajit Singh said: "There should be some sort of discussion among all the people concerned. I don't know how to say it but it's high time that without blaming each other there should be talks to resolve the issues".

Unable to buy medicines in the market, people crowded at the Imphal Hospital and Research Centre, resulting in chaos.

Many critically ill patients had to return unattended from hospitals. Many of them feel that the insurgents are thugs who don the garb of revolutionaries and ideologues.

Amina Khatun, a patient, said: "If the shops are closed we are helpless".

Sanahanbi, a patient's relative, said: "There are many patients who are serious and medicines are not available because of the shut down".

People feel that the Ibobi Singh Government, which has been re-elected, should ensure a terror-free and secure life in the State.

The Anti-Narcotics and Drugs Organisation and the Joint Action Committee recently observed a 24-hour general strike to protest against the killing of its three activists by the Kangleipak Communist Party or KCP, an armed militant outfit.

ANI