Naorem Roshibina Devi could hardly control her tears after the final of the women’s 60kg sanda event of wushu at the Asian Games. She had just lost to Wu Xiaowei of China to settle for the silver medal. But the tears were not for the fight she lost, but for the bigger fight that her friends and families are embroiled in back home.
Roshibina, from Manipur, dedicated her medal to the victims of violence that has been raging in her native state since May this year. She is from the Meitei community in Kwashiphai village in Bishnupur district adjoining Churachandpur, which is dominated by the rival Kuki ethnic community. The conflict between the two communities in Manipur has claimed the lives of many.
“Manipur is burning. Fighting is going on in Manipur. I can’t go to my village. I want to dedicate this medal to those who are protecting us and suffering there,” a tearful Roshibina said after her bout on Thursday.
“I don’t know what will happen, the fighting has been continuing. When will it stop and return to normal life of earlier times?”
Even in that moment of pride — she bettered her bronze from the last Asian Games to silver this time — it was difficult for Roshibina to not worry about her family.
“Anything can happen any time,” the 22-year-old said. “None of my immediate family members or relatives is affected by the violence but our village is on the boil for nearly five months. Manipur has been on the edge since May. So, I am worried about my parents and siblings.”
As an athlete who has earned laurels for the country, Roshibina pleaded for help from authorities to restore peace in Manipur.
“The violence due to the conflict has not stopped, it is only increasing. I don’t know when will it stop. I tried not to think much about that but it affects me. I play for India and I request for help to bring Manipur to normalcy,” she said.
Roshibina was at the wushu national training camp in Srinagar for two months before the Asian Games. She had gone home in June during a break of 15 days but she did not go to her village. She stayed at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre at Takyel in Imphal.
“My father came to meet me. That was in June. I speak to them sometimes on the phone. My coaches do not allow me to speak to them regularly as that may affect my performance,” said Roshibina.