The trade hub of Imphal City, Manipur (Paona Bazaar and Thangal Bazaar) on Monday stood eerily silent as the Bazaar Shop Owners community had declared a 24-hour total shutdown as various problems were occurring in the area concerning the law and order situation.
Effective from midnight on Monday until Tuesday midnight, the shutdown has brought business activities to a grinding halt, exacerbating the already tense atmosphere due to ongoing conflicts.
As dawn broke on Monday, shuttered shops greeted the usually bustling Thangal Bazaar and MG Avenue, critical suppliers for the entire state.
Even the typically lively Paona Bazar Masjid Road wore a deserted look during the morning hours.
The retail hubs of Alu Gali in Thangal Bazaar, Paona International Market, and the bustling Kaul area all ceased operations.
The decision for the shutdown emerged from mounting issues within the bazaar area, with recent violent incidents serving as a catalyst for the drastic measure.
Representing both small and large shop owners, the Bazaar Shop Owners community unanimously agreed on this course of action, reflecting the severity of the situation.
With uncertainty looming over the region's stability, authorities are under pressure to address the root causes of the conflict and restore normalcy to Imphal's vibrant marketplace.
Recently, incidents occurred in which some residents of Thangal Bazar were physically assaulted by some assailants at night.
Police had arrested seven individuals, including five minors, were apprehended on May 13 Monday for their involvement in nighttime assaults on civilians. The arrests came in response to reports of attacks in areas around Paona Bazar and Thangal Bazar, Manipur.
The arrests followed the circulation of CCTV footage on social media capturing the assaults on civilians during the night. Subsequently, a case was registered at the City police station for further investigation into the matter.
The local MLA, Khumukcham Joykisan, also made an appeal not to repeat similar incidents in the near future and that legal action will be taken against any individual or group found harassing the residents of the bazaar area.
