Fearless Manipuri footballer takes a stand, calls for Modi govt's attention

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: National team's Manipuri footballer Jeakson Singh created a flutter on Tuesday night by wrapping himself in a Meitei flag while collecting his individual medal after India beat Kuwait in the final of the SAFF Championship.

The fla g Jeakson wrapped himself in, is called Flag of Kangleipak or Salai Taret Flag -- a rectangular seven-colour flag which represents the seven clan dynasties of the Meitei ethnicity in ancient Manipur.

The North-Easter n state is in turmoil since ethnic clashes broke out between Meitei and Kuki communities in May. Several Opposition parties have criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi (who hasn't spoken about it yet) and the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state for failing to end the violence.

The Meitei community has been demanding its inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list like the Kuki community, whose members primarily reside in the hills. The tribal communities have protested the Meitei demand.

The Indian government had to deploy the military to restore peace in the region with more than 100 people losing their lives along with mass destruction of public and private property.

Jeakson belongs to the Meitei clan and his gesture led to widespread criticism with netizens putting up photographs and stills of Salai Taret flag being hoisted after destroying Kuki churches.

Jeakson, took to twitter late in the night and defended himself. "Dear Fans, By celebrating in the flag, I did not want to hurt the sentiments of anyone. I intended to bring notice to the issues that my home state, Manipur, is facing currently.

This win tonight is dedicated to all Indians," he tweeted. Earlier in an interaction with ESPN.in, Jeakson urged people in his state to maintain peace.

"It's my Manipur flag. I just wanted to tell everyone in India and Manipur to stay in peace and not fight. I want peace. It's been 2 months now and still fighting is going on," Jeakson said.

"I don't want that kind of thing to happen more and I just want to bring the government's and other people's attention to get peace you know. My family is safe but there are lot of families who have suffered and lost their home and all. Yeah it's difficult now...even for me it's difficult to go back home now with the situation...even I don't know what's going to happen. I hope things get well soon," the talented player added.