The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) Manipur Unit and Manipur Barbers’ Association on Tuesday condemned the incessant extortion of money from barbers by armed miscreants in Imphal area and appealed to authorities concerned to provide proper security.
Both are part of the resolutions made during the general body meeting at AITUC office to discuss the prevailing plights incurred by affiliate bodies of AITUC amid the turmoil.
The resolutions further urged the armed miscreants to stop the extortion and intimidation of barbers, provide social act provisions to barbers among others. Both bodies maintained that the move had led several barbers to close shops.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the meeting, AITUC Manipur Unit general secretary L Sotinkumar said that the working class in Manipur had been severely impacted by the crisis.
“The driver association’s office has been forced to close due to extortion. Trade unions, federations, and many other working class bodies are also on the brink of closing down,” he said.
He claimed that the small business owners had been compelled to pay amounts ranging from Rs 5 to 10 lakh. They have even threatened members of AlTUC, he added.
He questioned why they were being tormented and threatened amid the turmoil which had impacted all sections of the Manipuri society. “There are plenty of rich politicians, drug lords, and bureaucrats who have gathered immense wealth by exploiting the people. The groups should demand the money from them,” he said.
AITUC secretary Shamungou Singh, secretary pointed out that Manipur Barbers’ Association comprised mostly non-Manipuris. “The meeting has been convened to discuss their problems. They are facing serious cases of extortion to which they cannot turn a blind eye,” he said. He noted that law enforcement agencies had done nothing to tackle the issues.
