As many as 13 Manipur sportspersons have vowed to return their medals and awards if peace is not restored in the violence-hit state soon, reports emerged on Wednesday.
According to reports, an eight-point memorandum was submitted to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Imphal on Tuesday seeking a stern action against the extremist groups behind the violence.
The sportspersons who vowed to return medals and awards include Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu, weightlifter Kunjarani Devi, former Indian women’s football team captain Oinam Bem Bem Devi, boxer L. Sarita Devi, Olympian judoka Likmabam Shushila Devi, and boxer L. Ibomcha Singh.
In the memorandum, the sportspersons disclosed that apart from returning their medals, they would abstain from representing India at any international competitions if the authorities concerned fail to restore peace in the state.
Addressing the media at Manipur Press Club in Majorkhul, L Anita Chanu said, “When we stood at international podiums, we represented a unified Manipur and India but the way in which the situation unfolded threatens that idea of a unified Manipur, we have confidence in the centre but their delay in intervention has come at the cost of numerous lives.”
The following points are included in the memorandum:
To revoke the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the Kuki militant groups
Restore peace and normalcy at the earliest
To protect unity and integrity of the State Manipur
Discarding the demand to disintegrate Manipur under any circumstances
Allowing Meeteis to settle in the hills
To deport illegal immigrants to their respective countries among others
