Olympic weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the continuing strife between two clans in her home state of Manipur as soon as possible.
Since May 3, Manipur has seen ethnic confrontations between the Meitei and Kuki groups. So far, around 150 people have been murdered in the fighting.
Chanu, who is presently training in the United States, stated that athletes in the northeastern state have been impacted by the crisis because they are unable to train due to the ongoing violence.
“The conflict in Manipur is on for the last three months, but peace has yet to return.” Due to the violence, several players have been unable to train, which has also hampered the education of other children. “Many lives have been lost, and many homes have been destroyed,” Chanu said in a video posted to her Twitter account.
“I want to appeal to the Prime Minister and Home Minister to end this conflict as soon as possible, save all the people of Manipur, and restore the peace that existed previously.”
Chanu, who won a silver medal in the 49 kg weight category at the Tokyo Olympics, said she couldn’t stop thinking about her family despite being so far away.
“I live in Manipur, but I am currently training in the United States in preparation for the upcoming World Championships and Asian Games. Even when I’m not in Manipur, I wonder when this conflict will end,” she added.
On May 3, ethnic conflicts erupted in the state after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill areas to oppose the Meitei community’s quest for Scheduled Tribe (ST) designation devolved into violence.
Meiteis make up around 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live largely in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, make up 40 per cent of the population and dwell mostly in the hill districts.