Stall collapses at Imphal Book Fair
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 16 2010: Much to the embarrassment of the organisers a stall of the ongoing Imphal Book Fair at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound collapsed today.

The particular book stall which collapsed today was occupied by Leima Book Store, Paona Bazar.

The 19th Imphal Book Fair which began yesterday will continue till December 25 .

Talking to this reporter, proprietor of Leima Book Store, Premjit Nongmeikapam said that the stall suddenly collapsed at around 12.30 pm today.

Saying that the stall collapsed due to utter negligence on the part of the organisers to maintain quality in the construction of the stalls, Premjit further decried that the participants were also not given proper and adequate racks.

Books lie scatterred all over the stall after it collapsed

Observing that this embarrassing incident would put off many book publishing firms, particularly those based outside the State, from coming to the fair, he accused that the Chief Librarian is not competent to organise such a big fair.

Such incompetence on the part of organisers would reduce the number of participants next year.

It is also unlikely that publishing firms based outside the State would participate in the Imphal Book Fair from next year.

The organisers are also taking Rs 3000 from each participant as deposit.

This is something peculiar of the Imphal Book fair.

No deposits are demanded in any of the book fairs organised outside the State.

Even as Leima Book Store is displaying a wide range of books, some important books could not be displayed for lack of space.

"They don't provide us side rack and the racks they are providing are not in a position to the keep the books", Premjit lamented.

Another participant, Sanathoi Piba of Royal Book House asserted that there should be a management board to organise such big fairs in a proper and efficient manner.

In terms of managerial and organisational efficiency, this year is a big failure compared to last year.

He also blamed the Chief Librarian for the fiasco.

Racks being provided to the stalls are made by joining pieces of wood in the most clumsy manner.

Observing that all other stalls are not any better, he cautioned that they may collapse any time.

Educare Book Store proprietor Atendra said that the racks are shaky, unable to withstand weight of books.

Meanwhile, S Tampak Leima informed that an order has been issued to refund Rs 1000 to all the book stalls, and also to rebuild the collapsed stalled in proper manner.

She further informed that the fair scheduled to conclude on December 24 has been extended till December 25 .