Chungreng Koren, a mixed martial artist from Manipur, was recently crowned the interim bantamweight champion at Matrix Fight Night (MFN). After dedicating the win to his homeland, Koren made a call for peace against the backdrop of escalating ethnic tensions in Manipur.
In a video circulating on social media platforms, Koren”s impassioned appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi resonates deeply. With tears welling up, he describes the harrowing reality faced by Manipuris – the loss of lives, the dire conditions in relief camps, and the uncertain future clouded by the specter of violence.
“This is my humble request. Violence is happening in Manipur. It has been almost a year. People are dying and many people are at relief camps. There is a shortage of food and water at these relief camps. The children are not able to study properly. The future is unclear. Modi ji, please visit Manipur once and restore peace in the state,” Chungreng Koren can be heard urging in the video.
The viral video has sparked a wave of empathy and solidarity on X. Srinivas BV, President of the Youth Congress, shared the video clip on X (formally Twitter), and wrote, “Here is Chungreng Koren from Manipur. If only the Prime Minister were a part of their family, perhaps today every citizen of Manipur wouldn”t be compelled to cry.”
Meanwhile, social media users like Nehr_who? juxtapose Koren”s plea with the unfortunate reality of geopolitical priorities, highlighting the urgency of the situation in Manipur. “Chungreng Koren literally begging and crying Modi for peace in Manipur. Unfortunately it”s not the Russia-Ukraine war otherwise Modiji would have stopped it,” the user wrote.
Despite the glaring humanitarian crisis unfolding in Manipur, the silence from the BJP on the matter is conspicuous.
Ethnic violence in Manipur has claimed over 200 lives and displaced nearly 50,000 people since May last year. Officials say the situation has degenerated into anarchy, with underground militant factions regaining support.
Manipur’s demographic makeup comprises Meiteis, constituting approximately 53% of the population and residing predominantly in the Imphal Valley, and tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, who constitute 40% and primarily inhabit the hill districts.
The divide between the Meitei community and tribal populations deepened due to the controversial matter of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Hill tribes are protesting against the Meitei community”s push for ST status.
