Ethnic violence drags down Manipur exports by nearly 80%

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

ethnic violence in Manipur has brought down the state's exports of handwoven textiles, medicinal plants and food items by almost 80%, according to M Chandrakeshore Singh Pallel, vice-president (Manipur) of North East Federation of International Trade (NEFIT). Manipur is famous for fabrics like moiraingphee, leirum, lasingphee and phanek, which have good demand in the US, Europe and Singapore. Media reports say that 142 people have been killed and thousands displaced since violence broke out in the state between the Meiteis and Kukis in early May, following a court order for granting scheduled tribe status to the Meities.

The violence and the ensuing restrictions imposed by the authorities on movement and internet service have hit the state's economy. The closure of Land Port Moreh in Manipur, which is 110 km from Imphal and acts as India's gateway to the East through the Moreh-Tamu border point--the only feasible land route for trade between India and Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries--has impacted exports from this small hilly state, whose cotton fabrics accounted for 44.18% of its merchandise exports in FY22. «The banks and ATMs remain closed and truck movement through the Moreh land port is restricted.

Only emergency vehicles are allowed,» said NEFIT vice-president Pallel. Manipur has the second-largest population of weavers in the country at more than 462,000, and the fourth-largest number of looms, which tops 280,000. «Those who have handloom manufacturing units in Navi Mumbai or Delhi have been able to export since the outbreak of the current violence.