MSF volunteers devastate unethical restaurants
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 29 2012: As a part of the 'Operation Dark Cabin' drive, a 30 member team of Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) went on the rampage against 'seedy' restaurants that allegedly defied prescribed norms.

Out of the restaurants targeted in today's campaign many restaurant owners were reportedly asked multiple times to ensure that they are run with strict abidance to social norms and ethics.

Like in the past drives, many youngsters as well as elderly couples were found to have violated the prescribed norms and were consequently disciplined by volunteers of the student's body with a stern warning not to offend the society.

The restaurants raided by the volunteers and found to have violated the prescribed norms included 10 such places in Koirengei area, five in Lamphelpat side, six in Heirangoithong areas, 10 in between Canchipur to Lilong and four others in Imphal West district areas.

During the drive MSF volunteers also rounded up young couples for indulging or attempt to indulge in immoral acts from Arodia Cafe in Langthabal Awang Leikai, Premi Restaurant in Chandranadi (Canchipur), Sandhya Fast Food (Imphal West) and Magic Cafe in Chumbreithong Lamkhai.

One of the restaurants destroyed by MSF volunteers during the 'Operation Dark Cabin' drive

As condoms were discovered from inside Sandhya Fast Food and Magic Cafe these outlets were severely damaged by the agitated volunteers.

Justifying their action, some of the MSF volunteers said that the restaurants were found to be running with dimly lit rooms/enclosures, which is against the guidelines issued to the restaurant owners.

a few of the restaurants were found to be actually attached at rooms of the owners' houses and had to no signboards.

Speaking to newspersons at its Keishampat office later in the evening, MSF general secretary Aheibam Boynao claimed that the restaurant covered in today's drive had already been warned four/five times in the past to ensure that the prescribed norms are strictly followed.

As they were found to be defying the guidelines MSF volunteers were compelled to damage the restaurant properties to ensure that these places are not transformed into facilities for immoral acts, he clarified and thanked local meira paibis and members of youth organisations for supporting and extending cooperation to the MSF campaign.

Appealing for similar support in future drives launched by the MSF, Aboynao expressed that the campaign is not against restaurant owners or an affront to youngsters in romance but to save the future generation from indulging in wasteful and immoral acts.

He also maintained that the drive is an opportunity to all concerned to respect ethics and moral of the society.

Informing that similar drives have been carried out at different places of Thoubal, Bishnupur and Toubungkhok areas, the MSF functionary asserted that such drives will continue.

He also accused All Manipur Restaurant Association president Shamu of still defying the guidelines as major part of his restaurant is being run at attached rooms of his own house.

Aboynao also identified two elderly couples netted in today's drive from Hotel Majestic in Lamphel Super Market as Soibam Bira Singh (34) s/o Dhanabir of Tera Lukram Leirak and his woman companion as Thokchom (ongbi) Abey (31) w/o Th Khomei of Pukhao.

Dhanabir, who has a son and a daughter, reportedly runs a brick field while his woman companion works as a labourer at the said brick farm.