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G Vinayak in Guwahati
Unlike their counterparts in Kashmir, women in the state of Manipur have decided to defy the dress code sought to be imposed by an insurgent group late last month.
Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup, a relatively unknown underground outfit, had announced that Manipuri girls and women who wear saris, salwars and trousers would be shot dead on sight.
The insurgents wanted Manipuri women to wear sarongs, the traditional dress worn by women in Manipur.
The women were, however, not amused at the diktat of the armed outfit.
At a seminar in Imphal, most women were of the view that this new dress code was uncalled for and asked the KYKL insurgents to withdraw it immediately.
Reports from Imphal and other smaller towns said that young girls were still wearing salwars, jeans and trousers.
Most young women feel that the KYKL insurgents have no authority to impose this dress code.
Some others said that women should not be discriminated against, and that men should also stop wearing trousers and revert to wearing the traditional dhoti.
A young lady doctor moving around wearing a salwar-kameej said that for professionals, there should be an exception as it is inconvenient to work in the traditional Manipuri dress.
The dress code also came under scathing attack in the local media.
Women have always had a powerful position in the Manipuri society.
Their role in recent times in curbing drug addiction, alcoholism and atrocities by the security forces has been pre-dominant.
Analysts said the militants perhaps erred in gauging the mood of the women in the state.
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