Small Businesses and Barbers Face Extortion Challenges in Manipur

Published On: July 16, 2024 - Manipur has been reeling from unrest for more than 14 months. The conflict in the state has exacted a huge human toll, but it also carries a significant financial cost. Amid the violence, small businessmen and daily wage earners, including barbers in Imphal, face another challenge: extortion threats. This has left barbers with no choice but to close their shops. The extortion demands range from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh, dealing a double blow to the barbers, especially the smaller ones who earn daily and have been trying to recover from the impact their businesses suffered due to the violence since May 2023.