Riyaz Bhat

SRINAGAR

Dozens of Pashmina workers and weavers Thursday protested at Press Enclave here against Pashmina production by machines and power looms.

The protestors said that it has affected the livelihood of pashmina workers and threatened their traditional industry.

The protest led by the vice-president of pashmina workers, Tariq Ahmad Zargar, said, “around 5 lakh weavers and spinners using traditional handlooms and spinners have been affected by the power looms.”

They appealed governor to ban spinning machines and power looms completely under the Handloom protection Act (HPA) 1985.”

“The introduction of machines has adversely affected the craft and distribution of local vendors and Government should act against some of the unscrupulous elements that want to earn millions overnight at the cost of poor artisans of the State,” they said.

Chanting slogans of “injustice done against them”, the protesters said, “the induction of machines in handloom has completely damaged Kashmir Pashmina’s quality.”

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