Jakarta Asian Games gold medallist sprint queen Hima Das has appealed to “a section of about five to 10 per cent” people who are not ready to cooperate with the lockdown in the country to understand the situation and cooperate not only for their own well-being, but also for their families and society as a whole.

Interacting with the sports organisers fraternity of Assam in a teleconferencing programme of the Assam Olympic Association on Friday evening, the 20-year-old from Dhing in Nagaon district, who is currently in the Olympic contingent camp in Patiala, said: “It is quite disheartening to see it on media as well as social media that some people are not ready to cooperate with the lockdown rules. Some are even abusing medical teams and law enforcers in different parts of the country. It is a very small section of about five to 10 per cent people. My message to those people is: ‘Please understand the situation. We are in a major crisis. Please stay at home and stay safe. Being a true citizen, please help the nation tide over the crisis’.”

Hima, nicknamed “Dhing Express”, also said she had graphed a few videos of herself washing hands and practising precautions against coronavirus and posted them on her social media handles with appeals to the people to practise the same.She appealed to all those who could be infected by the virus to remain in self-quarantine and report to health authorities for their own wellbeing as well as that of the society.

Tokyo Olympics qualifier Assam pugilist Lovlina Borgohain also said she had posted her own videos of safe practices against coronavirus spread and appealed to the people to remain indoors during the lockdown. “I’ve posted some videos on social media with my appeals to the people not to venture out unless it is very essential,” she said.

The teleconferencing was arranged by AOA general secretary Lakhya Konwar, who also urged all to follow the set rules of lockdown and remain safe.

World Youth Women’s Boxing champion Ankushita Boro said: “I am in my native village (Meghai Jarani in Sonitpur district). Our people are so ignorant that my family and I are taking the initiative of educating the villagers about the pandemic and how to be safe. We are trying our level best to keep people indoors and practise social distancing.”

Second India Open Boxing Championship gold medallist Jamuna Boro, who also hails from Belsiri village in Sonitpur district, said: “My appeal to society is to be informed and cooperate with the measures taken for the wellbeing of society. I can see a lot of people loitering around for no reason despite the lockdown in force. I request them to please remain indoors and stay clean. It is for your own good as well as for society.”

Gold medallist of the Third Khelo India Youth Games Shivangi Sarma said: “The government is taking so many steps to help people stay at home and still some are not ready to cooperate. It is disheartening.”

Konwar proposed contributions of Rs 10,000 each from the 35 state and 25 district sports associations from their respective annual grants from the Assam Olympic Association to the government to fight the pandemic. Every association agreed to contribute.