Members of the Manipur Apex Handloom Weavers and Handicrafts Artisans Co-Operative Society Limited (AWAS) locked the offices of the Apex Handloom at Paona Bazar in Imphal for 15 days, protesting against the recent board of directors election.
The election, held on July 5 amid severe flooding that hindered voter turnout, has sparked widespread dissent among society members.
Eight out of 15 candidates contesting the election, along with their supporters, initiated the protest.
They had previously appealed for a postponement of the election due to the adverse conditions faced by flood-affected members, but their requests were disregarded by the authorities.
Speaking to the media, RK Anjali, a protesting candidate, criticised the scheduling of the election on a government-declared holiday and highlighted the significant absence of voters due to the flood.
She emphasised that the decision to lock the office was aimed at rectifying perceived irregularities and ensuring accountability, suggesting that those who reopened the office without authorisation bear responsibility.
Anjali further demanded the immediate disbursement of pending salaries to Apex staff and raised concerns over unresolved financial allocations for society events.
Additionally, she asserted that the newly elected seven candidates would not be permitted to assume office until a consensus is reached among all fifteen contenders.
Warning of further agitation if their demands were not met, Anjali called for the resignation of allegedly corrupt officials within the society to restore transparency and fairness in governance.
