Thangal Keithel protests eviction notice

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 24 : Shops were closed at Thangal Keithel today in protest against a Government's eviction notice.
According to reports received by The Sangai Express, shopkeepers at Thangal and Paona Keithel removed extended tin sheds and signboards erected on footpaths, following an order by the Imphal West Deputy Commissioner.
Structures on encroached land that weren't voluntarily removed were cleared using machinery.
However, the owners of buildings at Thangal and Paona Keithel held a meeting at Kali Bari, Thangal Keithel, yesterday and resolved to shut down all shops today in protest against the authorities' directive to remove aerial expan- sions of buildings allegedly encroaching on footpaths.
Most shops at Thangal Keithel were closed today as per the resolution, while some shops operated with their shutters partially closed.
Shops on the western side of Polo Ground and Paona Keithel remained open as usual.
Speaking to this reporter, a shop owner at Thangal Keithel expressed uncertainty about the Act under which they were asked to remove aerial expansions of buildings.
He pointed out that most buildings at Thangal and Paona Keithel were constructed before the Imphal Municipal Corporation Building Bye-laws, 2013, and its 2019 amendment came into effect.
He claimed that the Government officials conducting the eviction drive were unaware of the legislation under which they were directed to remove the aerial expansions of buildings.
It is reported that a group of building owners met with the Imphal West Deputy Commissioner, and the shop owners returned after the DC assured them that he would look into the matter following a meeting with the MAHUD Director and other officials concerned.
No date has been fixed for the meeting, however.
Later, the building owners gathered at Dharmashala and discussed their future course of action based on what the DC had informed them.
Meanwhile, eviction drives continued in various areas based on notifications issued by the district administrations.
Following an order, people started removing struc- tures they had constructed or set up on the eastern side of Ayangpalli Road, from Kongba Laishram Leikai to Porompat crossing and Singjamei -Kongba road. The authorities have also served notices to remove structures erected on the Wangkhei-Kongba road, which encroach on Government land. The eviction of unauthorized structures along the banks of the Iril River from Irilbung to Lilong Bridge has been completed. It is reported that some individuals were arrested and fined for setting up structures on encroached land again after they were evicted.