Student bodies seize 'aped' traditional attires
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 19 2022:
At least six student organisations disposed of copies of traditional clothes of Manipur brought from other States.
The clothes seized from Paona and Thangal Keithels were burnt in front of the SUK office at Wangkhei Boys' Junior High School.
The six student organisations are AMSU, MSF, DESAM, KSA, AIMS and SUK.
Speaking to media persons, one of the student leaders said that they have already restricted the sale of machine made clothes with a similar pattern as that of Manipur traditional clothes which are sourced from other States.
Saying that they have been seizing the banned clothes since July 15 as traders at Thangal and Paona Keithel don't pay any heed to the restriction, he urged the State Government to look into the matter and take up measures which can promote the weavers of Manipur.
This unchecked shipping in of copied clothes can cause a serious harm to the economy of Manipur and discourage the weavers of Manipur, he said and added that the machine made clothes are also cheaper than those woven traditionally and people prefer the cheaper ones.
He appealed to the people to support the weavers of Manipur by buying their product as it will go a long way in improving the economy of Manipur and make their (weavers) ends meet.
He further urged the Government to make sure raw material for weaving clothes are available to the weavers at an affordable rate.