Newmai News Network
Imphal: Sportspersons including those who represented India at international sport events demanded an end to the nearly five-month long crisis in Manipur during a human-chain protest staged in Bishnupur district headquarters on Sunday.
A large number of sportspersons from various disciplines including national and international level players took part in the protest staged in front of the Bishnupur Forest Gate staged under the joint aegis of the Bishnupur District Olympic Association, sports clubs and sports organizations based in the district.
Related | Sportspersons hold rally in Imphal, calls for restoration of peace
The protest commenced with a sit-in-protest and was concluded with a human chain on the road along Tidim Road.
While highlighting the impact given by the prolonged crisis to the common people, particularly sportspersons, the players questioned alleged stoic silence by the Central and state leaders to end the violence that has been rocking the state since May 3 last.
Talking to reporters, a national level player strongly condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi who chose to remain silent on the violence unfolding in the state “except a selective comment on the viral video of two women parading naked by a mob.”
Also read | 4 arrested, 2 detained in Manipur kidnapping and murder of two minors case
The player said the Prime Minister congratulated a Manipur player when she lifted a medal in the ongoing Asian Games in China even though he chose to remain silent over the violence that has been rocking the state for the last nearly five months.
“We strongly condemn” his attitude, the player also said.
A spokesperson of the Bishnupur District Olympic Association warned that if the Centre and the state government fail to intervene to end the violence and bring back normalcy in the state, the players may be compelled to surrender medals they received during various competitions at the national and international levels.
Also read | Manipur’s Wushu player excel at Asian Games clinging silver amid the state crisis
One of the placards displayed during the protest read “Resign- Prime Minister, Home Minister and Manipur Chief Minister.”
Other placards read as “Implement NRC in Manipur,” “End poppy cultivation in Manipur,” “Drive out narco terrorist from Manipur,” “We condemn brutalities towards students”, “Restore Peace in Manipur,” “Disqualify 10 Kukis MLAs,” “Punished culprits of Linthoinganbi and Hemanjit Killing,” “Resign- Prime Minister, Home Minister and Manipur Chief Minister” etc. were also displayed during the protest.
At the concluding part of the protest, sportspersons also observed a two minutes silence honouring the souls of those people who died in the ongoing violence.
The protest concluded after chanting slogans demanding resignation of the Prime Minister, the Union Home minister and the Manipur chief minister,” punishment to culprits involved in the murder of two students – Linthoinganbi and Hemanjit and rooting out poppy cultivation in the state.
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