Olympics: Manipur rallies in support of Monika Devi

The agitation began with a 24-hour bandh with groups of youths taking to the streets and burning tyres and other articles in a public display of anger. A four-member ministerial team of the Manipur Government, headed by the Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Biren Singh, rushed to New Delhi to convey to the Central Government that things might go out of control if immediate steps were not taken to settle the issue.

A senior police official said Central Government offices and establishments in Imphal could be targeted by the angry mob if there was no amicable solution. The state police and paramilitary forces had to be called out in some parts of the capital.

Talking to The Indian Express, Singh said all disciplines of sports in Manipur — football, athletics, hockey, kho-kho and others — have unanimously decided to dissociate themselves from all affiliations to the Indian federation if Monika Devi was not sent to Beijing.

over to Beijing as part of the Indian contingent to return,” he said.

“The SAI authorities used an old dope test report, that too controversial, to drop Monika from the squad. Her last three tests had come out negative. Besides, why was the decision announced at the last moment?” asked Singh, adding that Monika be immediately sent to Beijing. “No one will say a word if the Olympic authority disqualifies her.”

K Langamba, president of UCM, one of the major groups spearheading the agitation, said over phone from Imphal: “Tension is mounting fast. If Monika is not sent to Beijing one cannot rule out the possibility of the agitation taking an ugly turn.”