Manipur Violence: Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, has received a letter from a group of thirteen Manipur-based athletes, including well-known Olympians, asking for his urgent assistance in resolving the state’s present issue. The signatories of the letter, who prominently include Tokyo Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu, have issued a warning that they would be required to return their arduously earned honours and medals if the situation does not quickly improve.
These distinguished athletes, including renowned weightlifter Kunjarani Devi, former Indian women’s football team captain Bem Bem Devi, and boxer L Sarita Devi, among others, detailed their concerns and demanded quick action in a memorandum that was submitted.
Their main demand is the reopening of the National Highway-2, which has been shut down for weeks and caused severe price increases in necessities while aggravating the general populace.
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The athletes emphasise their ardent love for India by expressing their dedication to the country and their desire to enhance the glory of the country via sport. They do emphasise that if their request for help is ignored, they will regretfully return their well-earned honours as a show of disapproval.
The athletes also discussed the grave threats to Manipur’s stability that persistent disturbances pose in their letter.
They denounced the Kuki militant organisations’ actions, which have threatened the state’s peace and stability and resulted in the deaths of innocent people and the damage of homes. Athletes demanded that the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with these groups be revoked and that peace and normalcy be quickly restored.
The memorandum also emphasises the significance of preserving Manipur’s integrity and unity, rejecting any call for the disintegration of the state. The athletes also raised awareness of the issues facing the Meetei community, who are currently only allowed to settle in 10% of Manipur’s territory.
They pleaded with the authorities to permit Meeteis to dwell in Manipur’s hills as well.
The athletes highlighted the need of addressing the issue of illegal immigration and taking the necessary steps to repatriate them to their home countries in their appeal.
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