Vexed over the Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) for permitting a big trader to sell “Eyong Phi (traditional woven cloth)” at Paona Bazar, Imphal, which is destroying the market price, the Working Committee of Khwairamband Ima Keithel on Wednesday said it was an attempt to shut down the livelihood of the small vendors selling the Eyong Phi at the three Ima Keithels.
Addressing a press conference at Ima Keithel No. 2, co-convenor of the Working Committee, Ashem Nirmala, informed that a non-local identified as one Pradeep Kumar was found to be selling the Eyong Phi in bulk, acquiring a license issued by the IMC at Paona Bazar.
The quantity which Pradeep was storing at his store was way more than the combine which are being sold in the three Ima Keithel, she said, adding that Pradeep also offers the clothes at a market breaking price, giving a great hindrance in the sales of Eyong Phi by the vendors.
She also stressed the possibility of many other traders doing the same business of selling Eyong Phi in the surrounding area of Ima Keithel.
When apprised to the IMC to ban the selling of Eyong Phi by the trader, the official informed that it is against the IMC Bye-law, she said and questioned, “Will the Ima Keithel, which is considered as a pride of Manipur, let go to perishing?”
Keeping in mind the path to be taken up by the women vendors if Ima Keithel went off from existence, the co-convenor drew the attention of the state government to take up necessary steps and to let the vendors live by selling the Eyong Phi and prevent Ima Keithel from shutting down.
