Public defy curfew to welcome Mirabai
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 27 2021: State weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, who returned home after winning a silver medal at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics 2020, was accorded a hero's welcome at Imphal International Airport here on Tuesday.

Prior to her arrival, her parents, family members, relatives, local people, her former coaches L Anita Chanu & Brojen, YAS commissioner Bobby Waikhom, YAS director in-charge T Phulen, SAI NERC director Francis Hmar Will, deputy director L Ibomcha and several well-wishers waited for her at the airport holding garlands, banners, shawls and gifts.

As soon as her flight landed at 1.30 pm, chief minister N Biren, YAS minister Letpao Haokip and education minister S Rajen welcomed her.

She was escorted out of the airport amid tight security and presence of huge crowd, who gathered there with the hope of greeting her and presenting gifts.

Keeping in view of the surging Covid-19 cases in the state and considering her safety, Mirabai was taken to the CM's car instead of the separate vehicle arranged for her.

Several people also waited all along the way from the Airport gate to Keishampat to greet her while defying the total curfew imposed by the government.

However, their enthusiasm went into vain as they could not have glimpse of her as she was seated inside the CM's SUV with dark tinted glass.

Despite their discontentment, many expressed that it was understandable for the CM to take her with him considering the Covid-19 situation.

Mention may be made that the state government imposed total curfew for 10 days from July 18 to 27 and people defying the curfew were punished and penalised as per provisions of the law.

However, the huge crowd that gathered from Imphal International Airport to Keishampat not only violated the total curfew but also other relevant SOPs and Covid appropriate behaviour.

Police also could not do anything considering the jubilant mood of the public and their genuine sentiment to greet the athlete, who made history by becoming the first ever Olympic silver medallist of the state.

Even though the response of the public was understandable, the way the public came out into the street without any care for Covid relevant SOPs worried many considering the surging cases of Covid-19 and high fatality rate that the state is experiencing for the last many days.

Meanwhile, state police detained 104 curfew violators and collected Rs 39,950 as fine from different parts of the state on Tuesday, police source said.

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