Star Manipur athletes threaten return of govt awards
Twelve national and international-level award-winning sportspersons, including Mirabai Chanu, N Kunjarani Devi and Sarita Devi from Manipur have threatened to return their Central government awards if it fails to safeguard the state’s unity and integrity. This comes in the backdrop of the massive violence that had recently engulfed the state and continues to simmer.
Ace weightlifter and Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu, world boxing champion Sarita Devi and 10 other sports personalities from Manipur have written to Home Minister Amit Shah, threatening to return their Central government honours if it fails to safeguard the state’s unity and integrity.
This comes after the massive violence that had engulfed the state as a result of clashes between the majority Meiteis and the Kukis, the immediate trigger being the Manipur High Court’s directing the Union government to consider the former’s long-standing demand for scheduled tribe status.
The violence has left more than 70 dead and hundreds displaced.
- The athletes who have threatened to return their medals and awards are:
- Mirabai Chanu: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Padma Shri for weightlifting
- Sarita Devi: Arjuna Award for boxing
- Ngangbam Soniya Chanu: Arjuna Award for weightlifting
- L Anita Chanu: Dhayanchand Award for weightlifting
- N Kunjarani Devi: Padma Shri for weightlifting
- Th Sanamacha Chanu: Arjuna Award for weightlifting
- M Suranjoy Singh: Arjuna Award for boxing
- L Ibomcha Singh: Dronacharya Award for boxing
- Oinam Bembem: Padma Shri and Arjuna Award football
- M Bimoljit: Arjuna Award for wushu
- W Sandhyarani Devi: Arjuna Award for wushu
- Y Sanathoi Devi: Arjuna Award for wushu
