IMPHAL, February 22: A seminar with the theme ‘Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Saktam Kanba’ at the Manipur Press Club concluded without any resolution or recommendation adopted after a clash between two groups of Ima Keithel vendors.
Participated by a large crowd, the inaugural function of the one-day seminar, jointly organised by the United Manipur Muslim Women Development Organisation and Leima Sintha Self Help Group, was performed without any glitches but all hell broke loose in the discussion and technical session when some women folk stormed and start ramping the seminar, tearing the banner and alleging that the problem of three IMA Keithels is pending in the court.
Two groups of Ima Keithel vendors exchanged words and dissolved the seminar without taking any resolution and recommendation after which a City Police team led by OC M Sudhir along with some women personnel rushed to the spot and controlled the mob.
Before the tensions erupted, the chief guest at the inaugural function, Director Art and Culture Dr K Sobita had said that for preserving the purity of Ima Keithel, the first priority should be on controlling the entry of men in the only women market in the world.
“The entry of men in Ima Keithel spoils the image of Manipuri women. As a rule from a very ancient period, no man was allowed to enter the market. If a man was found entering Nupi Keithel, he was punished by kings as per our customary laws. After the advent of democracy in the state, we are facing such problems. Banning men from entering the market will solve all problems and maintain peace among the vendors. We must unite and clean-up the market for bringing more laurels to the international renowned market, she said.
One big problem can be solved internally if the women handloom products are used by men and not giving foreign products precedence over our traditional items. The government is also willing to help in solving this problem internally. For this, a mutual understanding among the vendors of the market is required, she added.
Speaking on the occasion, W Ragen, Executive Officer of IMC said: “Issuing licence for separate items to be sold is not in the purview of IMC and is finalised by the state government. There is no proper record and documentation in the IMC to control Ima Keithel. IMC has less manpower and cannot frame any rule and regulations. To maintain an understanding in the Ima Market, we need to understand our selves.