Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 16 2009:
Chemist shops in Imphal which have remained shut since May 13 following heavy monetary demand from the outlawed KCP (MC) started service from today afternoon.
The decision to resume service has been taken after KCP (MC) reportedly communicated to representatives of Manipur Chemists and Druggists' Association for having talks after opening of the chemist shops, said Association general secretary of the Association Dr Kh Ratankumar Singh at a press conference in its office this afternoon.
Dr Ratankumar said all those who are working in the field of medical service have been subjected to undue pressure, threat and monetary demand from various UG groups over the last 2/3 years and this is really unfortunate not only for the Chemist fraternity but also for all the people.
Stating that the Association is fully aware of the difficulty faced by the public during closure of the chemist shops in Imphal, Dr Ratankumar said that it was in consideration of this difficulty that the Association has appealed to the KCP (MC) to withdraw its monetary demand.
In response to the appeal of the Association, KCP (MC) has communicated to open the shops first and talks would be held afterward, Dr Ratankumar informed.
He also predicted of a possible crisis of medicine scarcity in Manipur if chemist shop owners and other related indviduals started giving up the trade if imposition of heavy monetary demands on medicines which are of law tariff and fixed rate continued.
While informing that Manipur Chemists and Druggists' Assn is a affiliated unit of the All India Organisation of Chemist and Druggists, Dr Ratankumar feared that the affiliation may be even cancelled if such a situation arrives.
In view of the difficulty faced by the people as a result of the shut down for four consecutive days, the Association has also announced that the chemist shops which normally remained closed on Sunday would open on May 17 despite being a Sunday.