Imphal: Manipur's iconic 'Nupi Keithel', one of Asia's largest women-run markets in the heart of State capital Imphal, reopened on Monday after five months of its closure.

According to KNKSASKL, more than 20 women vendors lost their lives due to Covid-19. The organization leaders appealed to all women vendors as well as visitors to follow Covid guidelines.

Reopening of the market was taken up after the State Government issued a revised order recently. As per the new order, the vendors have to maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet, and on Sundays, the market has to be closed for cleaning and sanitization.

On April 21, the Manipur Government had announced the closure of the Nupi Keithel in view of the second wave of Covid-19 in the state.

According to sources, more than 3,500 license-holding women vendors sit at three Nupi Keithel market buildings in Imphal. The unique feature of this centuries-old market is that all business activities are done by women.

Prior to the formal reopening of the all-women market, two women vendor organizations Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Semgat Sagat Lup and Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup (KNKSAS KL)-organized a floral tribute ceremony at the market premises in memory of those women vendors who lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.