Thoubal, April 02 : The Wangjing-Lamding Keithel Shopkeepers Development Association (WLKSDA) has unanimously resolved not to entertain any kind of financial assistance or donations to any individual, group, party, student organization, or civil organization for a certain period.
The Wangjing-Lamding Market Shopkeepers Development Association took the above resolution after holding a meeting of the shopkeepers in the market on Thursday.
Regarding today’s meeting, WLKSDA Vice President Yendrembam Ashakumar told the media that due to the current unrest in Manipur, shopkeepers are facing immense difficulties. Shopkeepers in Wangjing-Lamding markets are taking loans from banks for doing small businesses. But, due to several issues, those who took loans from banks are now unable to repay them. The situation has reached a point where they cannot even pay the rent for their shops. These numerous difficulties have been endured by shopkeepers up to this day.
He further said that due to facing many hardships, shops located in the old and new markets of Wangjing-Lamding have received demands for donations of money from various student organisations, private associations, CSOs, and several parties, causing further suffering to the shopkeepers in the markets.
He said that a small amount of money earned from the shop is used for household expenses and to educate the children. In the past, when the conflict was at its peak, WLKSDA did not remain a silent spectator; they extended capable financial assistance to their brothers.
However, at present, they are also facing hardship; therefore, they have unanimously resolved not to provide any monetary donations to any organisation. For this, they hope that no threat or intimidation will be given to the WLKSDA, he added.
