IMPHAL: In a significant move to reclaim public spaces and ensure commuter safety, the Imphal West district administration today undertook an extensive eviction drive along the Keisampat to Malom road stretch. The early morning operation targeted a myriad of illegal structures that had long been impeding traffic and posing hazards.
The action, coordinated with various line departments, followed specific orders issued on July 4 by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Imphal West. District Commissioner M. Rajkumar elaborated on the necessity of the drive, citing widespread encroachment in the form of house extensions, makeshift shops, both permanent and temporary sheds, and the indiscriminate accumulation of construction materials and debris along vital thoroughfares. These unauthorised setups, he stressed, had severely choked traffic flow and engendered considerable safety concerns for the commuting public.
This was not the first time warnings were sounded. The DC highlighted that prior notifications had been issued as far back as 2022 and again in 2024, urging encroachers to vacate their illegal establishments. An earlier eviction initiative in early 2025 had to be put on hold due to severe flooding across the region. Despite these repeated advisories, many individuals failed to comply with the latest directive, which set a July 11 deadline for the voluntary removal of all encroachments.
Operating under Order No. DC(IW)/8/6/Eviction/2025, the district administration invoked powers vested in them by Section 3 of the Manipur Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1978. The order explicitly mandated the removal of all unauthorized constructions and road obstructions – ranging from mere debris and sand to full-fledged structures – by 3:00 PM on July 11. The administration had made it clear that non-compliance would result in stringent penal action, including demolition, police intervention, and the recovery of removal costs directly from the violators.
Looking ahead, District Commissioner Rajkumar confirmed that similar eviction drives are slated for other parts of Imphal West. This ongoing effort aims to fully restore public access and guarantee road safety across the district. He concluded by urging the public to extend their full cooperation to the authorities and to voluntarily remove any encroachments, in the collective interest of maintaining civic order.
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