Guwahati: On Tuesday, thirteen renowned sports personalities and medal winners in international meets urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to restore peace and harmony in Manipur and to take stern action against the Kiki militants.
In a memorandum to the visiting Union Home Minister, the celebrity sports persons said that the Kuki terrorists have been challenging the integrity of Manipur by killing people and burning down houses despite the deployment of large companies of central security forces in Manipur.
“Paramilitary forces might have been reluctant to prevent Kuki terrorists from attacking innocent civilians,” they stated.
The signatories of the sports personalities in the memorandum include, Arjuna award winner weightlifter Kunjarani Devi, former Indian women football team captain Oinam Bem Bem Devi, Boxer L Sarita Devi, Dhyanchand awardee Anita Chanu, Olympian (Judo) Likmabam Shushila Devi, Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu, Padma Shri awardee Kunjarani Devi, Dronacharya awardee (boxing) L. Ibomcha Singh.
The fame sports personalities have threatened to return their medals and awards, if peace is not restored in Manipur at the earliest.
They demanded to revoke the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the Kuki militant groups, to protect unity and integrity of Manipur, rejection of demand to disintegrate Manipur, Meeteis be allowed to settle both in the hilly and valley areas, to deport illegal immigrants to their respective countries and free movement of foods and essential supplies in the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway.