Imphal, June 23: Unable to meet the monetary demands and threats from various underground organizations, all the traders and shopkeepers of Sagang bazar under Kumbi police station have downed shutters since yesterday.

Sagang bazar does not fit the bill of a thriving commercial hub but offers a place to petty traders of all communities.

The shopkeepers took the decision to down shutters after a specific annual tax amount was served oh them.

Members of the Sangang Bazar Business Development Association said that they are not in a position to meet the demands of the underground outfits and added that they will not re-open their shops until a solution is worked out.

They also drew the attention of the higher authorities of the militants to the matter.

Even as the traders were narrating their tales of woes to the reporters who had come from Imphal, a large posse of CRPF men stationed at the Waikhong post came to the bazar and took up positions.

The CRPF men were led by the Post Commander.

Later the CRPF men told the media men that they had come to the place on receiving information that a meeting was underway between the traders and underground cadres.

Speaking to the reporters, Sagang village chief Shingkhuplin said that all the shop keepers at Sagang bazar are petty traders eking out a living.

The produce of the villagers which they cultivate in their fields are brought to the shops for sale.

The petty shopkeepers will not be in a position to meet the demands of the underground organizations, he added.

Secretary of the Ching-Tam-Hindu-M.uslim Peace Women's Association M Boinu said that the underground organizations have not only been imposing monthly and annual taxes but had also resorted to threats arid intimidations, which have created a fear psychosis amongst the people.

Since the shops have all closed down, the people have been facing untold miseries in procuring basic necessities such as kerosene and medicines, she said and appealed to all the underground organizations to understand the suffering of the people.

MSF president of the Boryangbi branch Azad Khan said that since the shops closed down, the students too have been facing numerous inconveniences in procuring note books and pens and pencils.

To make matters worse the half yearly examination is also nearing, he-' added.

The student leader also appealed to the concerned to stop the monetary demands.

Sagang Bazar Board chairman Yaimachou said the closure of the shops has greatly affected the lives of the villagers of Sagang.

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