Rajasthan players looted in Manipur, militants held hostage

ManipurA case of looting by militants has come to light along with the school sports team of Rajasthan which had gone to Manipur to participate in the 69th National School Championship. This incident has not only shocked the players and their families, but has also raised serious questions on the security arrangements of players in inter-state sports events. After the incident, the video released by the players went viral, on the basis of which the Manipur government has ordered an investigation into the matter. According to the information, the Rajasthan team had left for Manipur from Dholpur on January 11. The team was to go from Delhi to Dimapur by train, but the train ran late and reached Dimapur on the evening of 13 January. After this the players were being taken from Dimapur to Imphal by car. Meanwhile, at around 12:30 am on January 13, his vehicle was stopped on the way in a deserted area between Senapati and Kangpokpi districts. According to the father of a player, some militants belonging to a community on the way came forward with weapons and surrounded the vehicle. The gunmen threatened the players and the coach and kept them there for about two hours. During this, the cash and valuables belonging to the players were looted. Minor players were also present in the vehicle, including many female players. The children were badly frightened by this sudden incident. However, it is a matter of relief that no player was physically harmed in this incident. Team coach Sohanram told that all the players are safe, but mentally the children were very scared. According to the coach, this entire incident happened in a deserted area, where there was no possibility of getting immediate help. After the incident, the players’ family members got angry. The family members alleged that serious negligence had already been taken regarding the travel and safety of the players. He says that 52 players were to go to Manipur, but the government got train tickets for only 24 players, and that too was not confirmed. Under compulsion, many players had to travel in the train sitting outside the bathroom. The family members allege that if there were proper travel arrangements and security arrangements, such an incident could have been avoided. The family members have complained about this matter to the Education Minister of Rajasthan and demanded that the safety of the players should be ensured and action should be taken against the negligent officials. He says that children representing the state in sports competitions cannot be left to God. Meanwhile, the video released by the players on social media has escalated the matter. In the video, a player narrated his ordeal and told how he was threatened with a gun and money was snatched away. However, coach Sohanram says that the girl who gave the statement in the video was not present with the team at that time and she had already reached Imphal before the flight. He also said that the situation was being blown out of proportion and that there was no major disturbance. The Manipur government swung into action after the video surfaced. The government has ordered the Imphal Superintendent of Police to investigate the matter. Besides, officials of Senapati and Kangpokpi districts have also been instructed to cooperate in the investigation. The main focus of the investigation will be on the authenticity of the video, the circumstances present at the time of the incident and the identity of the people involved in the crime. Manipur Police says that as soon as a formal complaint is filed, legal action will be taken in the matter. Jaipur Police Commissioner Sachin Mittal said that no official contact has been made in this regard yet, but necessary steps will be taken after receiving information.