Amidst the ongoing unrest and violence in Manipur, Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Mirabai Chanu on July 17 (Monday) made an emotional appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, urging them to take necessary steps in order to 'help and save the state of Manipur'. The decorated Indian athlete posted a 1:10-minute video on her social media account and requested PM Modi to ensure peace in Manipur as the ongoing violence has impacted athletes' training and been a major roadblock for students to carry out their studies.
"Manipur ki sabhi praja ko bacha lijiye, aur pehle jaise shanti laiye (Please save all the people of Manipur and restore peace in the state)," Mirabai said in the video.
"It will soon be three months since violence in Manipur started. The authorities are yet to restore peace. Because of the violence, a lot of athletes are unable to train and students are not able to focus on studies. Lots of people have lost their lives and many houses have been burnt down.
"Even though I am in USA training for the upcoming World Weightlifting Championships and Hangzhou Asian Games, I have a home in Manipur. Even if I am not in the state, I think about home and wonder when normalcy will return. I appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to find a solution to the unrest as soon as possible," she added.
Earlier, the state's key sporting figures and international award-winning athletes, including Mirabai, threatened to return the awards received from the Indian government. The athletes raised multiple demands and urged the country's government to ensure that the state's territorial integrity is not compromised.
Mirabai Chanu was among the 11 sportspersons from the state who had framed a memorandum and submitted it to Home Minister Amit Shah as the situation in Manipur continues to be devastating.
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