'Rein in Kuki militants else we will return our medals' Sportspersons lay down ultimatum

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 30 : At least eleven sports personalities including Olympians and National awardees from Manipur have resolved to return their awards and medals if the Government of India fails to restore peace normalcy in violent-torn Manipur.
The 11 sports personalities submitted a joint memorandum to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah who is currently in Manipur with a list of demands to revoke the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact with the Kuki militant groups, allow Meeteis to settle in hill districts, deport the illegal foreigners residing in Manipur, protect the unity and integrity of the State and to restore normalcy.
Ahead of submitting the memorandum, Dhyanchand awardee weightlifter L Anita Chanu said that Kuki militants openly targeting innocent Meeteis is unreasonable.
She then appealed to Prime Minister  Narendra Modi and Amit Shah to contain the violence at the earliest.
Saying that the act of the Kuki militant groups coming from outside has put the lives of every Manipuri in a difficult position including the sportspersons, L Anita Chanu said that the decision was taken as "saving Manipur is more important to them than their professions,"
Urging the Centre not to entertain the demand to disintegrate Manipur, the noted weightlifter said that they have complete faith in the Government of India.
She also asked how the Kuki militants are able to launch attacks on Meetei villages when large companies of Central security forces have already been deployed in Manipur.
She then said that they (the 11 sports personalities) will return their medals and awards given by the Government if their demands are not entertained.
Arjuna awardee Myanglambam Bimoljit Singh who is a Wushu player said that they (the sportspersons) might take up arms if the Government fails to contain the 'terrorists'.
He asserted that Kuki militants attacking innocent Meeteis for no fault of theirs and making thousands of persons including school going children displaced is not justifiable under any circumstances. Through the medium of mobile phone, Olympic silver medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu told the media persons that she is unable to focus on her profession due to the situation in Manipur. She then appealed to the Centre and the State Government to restore normalcy in Manipur at the earliest. The signatories of the memorandum also include Padma award winner weightlifter Kunjarani Devi, former Indian women football team captain Bem Bem Devi and Boxer L Sarita Devi among others.