New Delhi: Olympic silver medallist weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah to bring about peace in Manipur, which has been witnessing ethnic conflict and violence since May 3, as soon as possible.

Chanu is currently training in the US. She said the ongoing conflict will have a long-term impact on sportspersons from the northeast, as they are having to forgo training sessions and stay home for security reasons.

“The conflict in Manipur is going to complete three months but peace is yet to return. Many players have not been able to train because of this conflict and there has been disturbance in the study of students. Many lives have been lost and many houses have been burnt down,” she said in a video uploaded to her Twitter account.

I request Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi_in sir and Home Minister @AmitShah sir to kindly help and save our state Manipur. 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/zRbltnjKl8

— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) July 17, 2023

“I have my house in Manipur though I am currently training in the USA to prepare for the upcoming World Championships and Asian Games. Even though I am not in Manipur, I always think about when this conflict will end,” she continued.

The Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur have been caught in a conflict for over two months now. Despite about 15o people having lost their lives and tens of thousands being displaced, Modi is yet to speak out on the matter or visit the state. There has been widespread anger against BJP chief minister N. Biren Singh, particularly from the tribal community, but he has remained in his post despite multiple calls for his resignation.