Several thousand weavers traders, mill owners and workers in the textile sector on Wednesday paraded the city streets demanding stern antl-smuggling drives especially against Indian sarees

Later, they submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister

They urged the authorities to launch anti smuggling drive by December 17 or face their action programme from December 20

At a huge rally at Purana Paltan square, the leaders of Sammiilta Deshi Bastra Shilpa Sangram Partshad' (combined Indigenous textile Industry action committee) said that con

traband sarees poplin, voil and chinls from the neighbouring India have flooded the markets leading to the closure of the local textile Industries

Presided by organisations president AlhaJ Nazir Hossain, the rally was attended by thou sand of bare-footed textile workers and weavers from re mote areas like Narshtngdl and Madhabdi to register their protest.

The organisation is a conglomerate of different textile owners and sellers associa Uons

"To reinvigorate the economy of the country, there is no alternative to checking of smuggling", president of the

organisation told the rally

Terming smugglers as the enemies of the country, the other speakers welcomed the recent government decision to deal smuggling with Iron hands to save the crippling economy they also offered all out cooperation tn carrying out the government programme

"But the genuine importers and traders should not be harassed In the name of anti smuggling drive' they cau Honed.

They also alleged that the many of the high ranking otfi etale were Involved In smug ghng.

The anti smuggling drive should not be limited to shopping centres. Law enforcing agencies should find out the real route of smuggling and the hideouts where contraband goods are stored, they said.

Speakers also referred to price hikes of yarn by Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation during the last few months. This has given rise to prices of local products which lost competitiveness in the market

The textile manufacturers, workers and merchants from different parts of the country Joined the rally tn processions carrying antl-smuggitng banners and placards. They chanted anti-smuggling slogans.

The Deshl Bastra Shilpa Sangram Parlshad comprised Bangladeshi Chhapa Saree Byabasayl Samlty. Bangladesh Textile Dyeing and Screen Printing Industries Association. Bangladeshi Grey-Kaparh Prastutkari Tanti Samlty and Islampur Bastra Saree Byabasayl Samlty.