Battle won in Hangzhou, wushu silver medallist appeals to stop Manipur 'war'

Naorem Roshibina Devi has been away from her near ones based out of Bishnupur district in Manipur for close to a year. The closest she reached was Imphal's SAI campus at the Khuman Lampak Stadium complex in May, when the violence was at its peak with the two main ethnic groups (Kukis and Meiteis) at each other's throats.

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

With the situation in the state yet to normalise, Roshibina left Imphal after being advised against visiting her native Kwasiphai Mayai Leikai village in Bishnupur district, hardly an hour's drive from the state capital.

On Thursday, Roshibina lit up the Indian wushu contingent's rather uninspiring campaign at the Hangzhou Asian Games, marred by the denial of accreditation of three Arunachal Pradesh players, Nyeman Wangsu, Onilu Tega and Mepung Lamgu, with a silver medal in the women's 60kg event.

But more than the happiness of ensuring the medal for the country at the 19th Asian Games, the 22-year-old is concerned about the well being of her family back home.

"I cannot help out in the war in Manipur. I want to dedicate this medal to those protecting my home. I know my appeal for peace won't make much of a difference but I want the things to normalise back home. I want the fires that are burning to go away," said a teary-eyed Roshibina, who will next gear up for the Wushu World Championships in the US in November.