IMPHAL, Feb 25 NNN : Flooding of Chinese goods in Manipur through the border town Moreh has caused serious concern for large number women whose occupations have become under threat because of it.
An NGO of Nambol has apprised the Prime Minister through a memorandum that more than two lakh women in Manipur have lost their traditional occupations as they have been replaced by cheap Chinese products after the Indo-Myanmar Trade Agreement came into force.
A public rally-cum-public meeting against the European Union-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was organized at Namoi Khun yesterday wherein hundreds of people took part.
The rally started from Waroi Ching Lai Lampak took out till Laimaram Bamon Leikai Community Hall where the public meeting was held.
It was organized by Heinoubok Awang leikai Women’s Association in collaboration with People’s Organisation and Civil based Organisation.
It maintained that Manipur was self-sufficient in food about 30 years back, but today, the state has become dependent on 60 percent of food imports, mainly rice from outside the state.
.Handicraft and handloom products such as handmade mosquito nets, quilts, bamboo baskets have been replaced by cheap Chinese products on account of the trade agreement.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/chinese-products-affecting-womens-economy/