Thousands throng Imphal Evenings

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 2

Thousands thronged the ‘Imphal Evenings’ which officially began today marking the beginning of a weekend night life for the first time in the state. Imphalites came out in droves to witness the beginning of this new chapter initiated by the state government.

“It is a sign that the law and order has improved in the state. Now we have a place to unwind in the evenings” said Saleja Athokpam, headmistress of Imphal Public Higher School to Imphal Free Press. She came with her family to dine out at a food-stall.

The Imphal Evenings was inaugurated by chief minister Nongthombaam Biren Singh at 7 pm today at Khuyathong traffic point. He mentioned that the objective of the event is to create a night life in the state and for people to unwind. Waving to the crowd in a motorboat at the Kangla moat the crowd cheered the chief minister after he announced the ‘Evening’ open.

“This avenue provides us to de-stress. This is a recreational activity for the families and should be continued, it is a positive step of the government,” said L. Santosh, assistant professor of Physical Education (MU).

Among the registered 96 food stalls, many did good business and sold out early. M. Memthoi from Sagolband has a stall selling bora (fritters). She said that she could not meet orders for her deep-fried food and sale is tremendous.

“I can’t fry enough boras to meet the orders. I need a bigger frying pan,” Memthoi said as she fried her fritters.

She deposited Rs. 10,000 for the stall and gave Rs. 500 for each month and has booked her stall till March.The stalls did brisk business till 10 pm and most got sold out as thousands queued up for the foods.

Most of the stalls had fast food as chowmein, burgers, fried chicken items etc and indigenous food stalls sold singju, bora, paknam, tharoi etc.

The roads are blocked at Khuyathong traffic point, another at the governor’s gate and the flyover at Uripok. Entry was not allowed from Khwairamband bazaar side but parking facility was given at Khuyathong, Raj Medicity area at north AOC and the other side at Jail road, Nityaipat Chuthek and along the Kangla moat till the Sanajenthong bridge.

Interacting with some police personnel, they mentioned that approximately 30,000 people must be coming at the entrance at the governor’s gate in an hour’s time. The stretch from governor’s road to Khuyathong traffic point was chock-a-block with visitors.