Manipur's all-women market is set to restart soon

By: WE Staff | Monday, 27 September 2021

Nupi Keithel, Manipur’s iconic all-women market is all set to reopen soon. The market after remaining closed for around five months is now all set to restart operations.

State Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, issued a revised order in this concern recently. According to the order, Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) will separate vendors into groups, and stall numbers will be allocated to each vendor. The IMC stated that it will make all efforts to make the vendors follow the set arrangement to ensure the social distancing is maintained appropriately.

The IMC further added that each vendor will be given an opportunity to sell her goods on a rotational basis, i.e., around twice a week. The market will remain closed on Sundays for sanitation and cleaning purposes, stated the IMC.

The Manipur government earlier announced the speedy closure of the Nupi Keithel on April 21, two months after its reopening, due to the alarming COVID-19 situation in the state.

More than 3500 license holding women vendors sit at the market which is the most unique feature of Asia’s one of the largest women-run markets.

Also, the duration of the night curfew imposed in the state has been shortened, according to the government order. The night curfew was earlier imposed across the state from 7 pm to 4 am, but now will be imposed from 8:30 pm to 4 am till October 21.

Cafes and restaurants are allowed to open from 10 am to 8 pm along with ensuring Covid appropriate behaviour. Postal offices, insurance offices and banks may function normally without the shortened working hours specified earlier.

All drivers, passengers and helpers should wear masks while district administration and police should ensure the capacity limit is complied with. Feasts and social gatherings are not permitted.