"We will stage demonstration like teachers if the government does not allot 906 plots to the Benarashi weavers as per the commitment by the head of the government, Abdul Zabbar, secretary of Mirpur Ward No-2 Weavers Association, said at the inaugural function of the month long 'Domestic Handloom Fair' (Deshio Tantbostra Mela) at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at Agargaon in the capital.

Minister for Textiles and Jute Shajahan Siraj inaugurated the fair.

Textiles and Jute Secretary Abul Kasem Mahbubul Alam, Information Secretary Muhammad Haidar Ali, and Akram Hossain, chairman of Bangladesh Tant Board spoke the occasion, among others.

Leaders of Benarashi weavers said that the government had taken Tk 10,000 each from 18,553 Benarashi weavers in 2003 to establish the enclave. But it had not taken any decision in this regard yet, they lamented.

They also said that the age-old sector of the country is languishing in frustration due to absence of such facility.

"A total of 42,000 weavers from 10,000 handloom units in Mirpur area will stage demonstration on streets and go for hunger strike if our 17-year old project is not implemented by the timeframe," Ruhul Amin, vice president of Mirpur Word No-5 Tanti Samity.

The textile minister assured the weaver leaders to do his best to implement the project within the shortest possible period. He also said that the project could not be implemented for judicial complications.

The fair, open for all from 10 am to 9 pm, is being participated by 188 handloom organisations from across the country.