It is poll time, relax says the mood
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 22 2009: Normal life as well as business transactions in the main commercial hub Khwairamband Market here and its surrounding areas remained affected for the day on account of the election to the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency today.

Most of the shops and other business establishments in Paona Bazar and Thangal Bazar area of Khwairamband Market downed their shutters for the day.

Even though some shops were seen opening in these two market areas, the number of shoppers was very limited.

As the sale record was low many of the salesmen were seen loitering around in front of their respective shops.

Relax is the slogan for this vegetable vendor on poll day

Traffic congestion along the stretch of Paona and Thangal Bazar which was normally the daily harrowing experience of the commuters was missing with parking lots along the road sides presenting a deserted look.

Similar was also the case at the parking space located along the BT Road just next to the Pologround.

Unlike other days, only a few vehicles were seen being parked from near Johnstone Higher Secondary School to Sahid Minar.

The National Highway 39 stretch from Johnstone School to GM Hall which was normally packed with passenger service jeeps and autorickshaws also wore a deserted look today as not many passenger vehicles plied today.

There was also free traffic flow in and around the roads of Imphal today.

Although the women vendors in Khwairamband Market right from vegetable sellers to cloth traders put up the wares for sale, the sale proceed recorded was very low as very few buyers came to the market to make purchases today.

In the absence of buyers, many women vendors were seen whiling away their time dozing.

Most of the small eateries operating from inside the Khwairamband Market shed were also shut down and kiosks in the surrounding area of the market down their shutter for the day.

Talking to The Sangai Express, a salesman of a shop selling ready-made garments for children informed that though the Khulangkhang (the first purchase) of the day has been registered, no more buyers have come.

A woman vegetable seller of Khwairamband Bazar said that she had come to the market knowing very well that there would not be any sale today as she has been habituated to coming to the market daily.

Pointing to other women vendors, she said ''Look how others like me are whiling away their time dozing''.

''Lets hope there would be some buyers coming for vegetables being sold in the evening'', she added.

Most of the passenger bus service between Imphal and other districts of the State as well as between Imphal and Jiribam along the National Highway also remained suspended for the day today on account of the election.