Eleven prominent sports personalities from Manipur, including Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu, have written a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah, calling for an immediate resolution to the ongoing crisis in the state.
The athletes, which also include Padma Award winner weightlifter Kunjarani Devi, former Indian woman football team captain Bem Bem Devi, and boxer L Sarita Devi, have expressed their concerns and warned that they would return their awards and medals if “peace and normalcy” are not restored promptly. The letter highlights several demands, including the unblocking of the National Highway-2, which has been blocked for weeks at various locations, resulting in a rise in the prices of essential commodities.
The signatories have emphasized the urgency of unblocking the highway to alleviate the hardships faced by the people.Kunjarani Devi, a highly decorated weightlifter, conveyed a powerful message to the government, stating, “We want peace. Take everything from us, but give us peace. We want to live a life similar to those in Delhi or Mumbai. I want to tell Prime Minister Narendra Modi that we desire nothing more than peace.” The plea from these esteemed sports personalities highlights the gravity of the situation in Manipur and the need for swift action to restore normalcy. The threat to return their hard-earned awards and medals serves as a testament to their determination in seeking a resolution and their unwavering commitment to peace in their home state.