Imphal: In an encouraging development, 13 sports personalities from Manipur urged the Central government to immediately bring peace and normalcy to the violence-hit state.
“The Kuki terrorists have been challenging the integrity of Manipur by killing people and burning down houses despite the deployment of a large number of large central armed forces,” a letter signed by 13 top athletes from Manipur to the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, said.
Olympic medalist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu is among those who have signed the letter and warned they would return their awards and medals if “peace and normalcy” are not restored at the earliest.
The signatories of the letter – Padma Award winner weightlifter Kunjarani Devi, former Indian women football team captain Bembem Devi; world boxing champion and Arjun awardee Laishram Sarita Devi; L Anita Chanu, Dhyanchand awardee (weightlifting); Ngangom Soniya Chanu, Aruna Awardee and Olypian; Mayanglangbam Bimoljit Singh, Arjuna awardee, Wishu; Wangkhem Shandhyarani Chanu, Arjuna awardee, Wushu; Yumnam Sanathoi Devi, Arjuna awardee, Wushu; Likmabam Sushila Devi, Arjuna awardee and Olympian, (judo); M Suranjoy Singh, Arjuna awardee, boxing; Th Sanamacha Chanu, Arjuna awardee; and L Ibomcha Singh, Dronacharya awardee, have also demanded the unblocking of the National Highway 2.
The National Highway-2 has been blocked for weeks at several locations, resulting in the price rise of essential commodities and severely affecting the common people… So, kindly unblock the highway at the earliest,” is one of the eight demands mentioned in the letter.
Asking the centre to deport illegal immigrants to their respective countries, the letter also urged the centre to revoke the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Kuki militant groups.
It further said Meeteis are allowed to settle only in the valley, which constitutes just about 10 per cent of the total geographical area of Manipur. As such, where would the Meeteis settle after some years if the present system continues.
Stating that the demand to disintegrate Manipur is not acceptable under any circumstances, the sports personalities said they are ready to surrender their medals if the government fails to protect the integrity of Manipur. With agency inputs
