Imphal, May 18 -- A quiet corner to study among books and journals, uninterrupted Wi-Fi, access to an attached cafe, the occasional poetry-reading session, and an affordable monthly subscription. These are the primary attractions pulling youngsters to the dozens of the privately-run reading spaces that have mushroomed in Imphal over the past few years.

Nearly 40-50 private reading or study halls, as they are known locally, have opened in Imphal East and West and in the neighbouring Kakching districts. Students and aspirants for competitive exams are among those using these spaces to focus on academics, the owners said.

The Covid pandemic and then the ongoing ethnic unrest fuelled the need for these community spaces, the owners said, add...