IMPHAL, July 12: The Imphal West District Administration today launched a large-scale eviction drive to remove illegal encroachments along roads and footpaths. The operation began along the Keishampat to Malom stretch of the Imphal Airport Road, a vital route frequently plagued by unauthorized structures obstructing vehicular and pedestrian movement.
The drive was spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner Mayanglangbam Rajkumar and conducted in close coordination with personnel from the Manipur Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and officials from the Revenue Department. Heavy machinery, including a JCB excavator, was deployed to demolish and remove makeshift shops, business extensions, house projections, construction materials, tyres, wires, and other obstructions.
Acting under the provisions of the Manipur Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1978, the administration enforced an order issued on July 4, which mandated the removal of all encroachments. The crackdown followed repeated notices served in 2022, 2024, and earlier this year, and was initiated after the July 11 deadline for voluntary removal passed without compliance.
Deputy Commissioner Rajkumar emphasized that removal charges will be recovered from violators, and failure to pay within 10 days will attract further penal action. He added that the drive is part of a broader initiative to decongest urban areas and improve accessibility, especially along key public routes.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, present at the site, reiterated the administration’s commitment to targeting all forms of encroachments and warned of similar drives in other areas, including the Uripok stretch.
Authorities urged the public to cooperate in preserving public infrastructure, ensuring that footpaths and roads remain accessible and safe for all.
