Imphal: Authorities in Manipur have launched an investigation into alleged looting and extortion incidents along National Highway 102 in Kangpokpi district, following claims involving a Rajasthan school sports contingent, officials said on Tuesday.
The Director of Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS), Manipur, said the inquiry was initiated after a video clip circulated on social media. In the video, the father of one of the players alleged that the contingent was detained for nearly two hours at gunpoint while travelling through Kangpokpi district and was forced to pay money.
The 52-member Rajasthan contingent, including girls, had travelled to Manipur to participate in the 69th National School Games Championships 2025–26, held from January 14 to January 18 at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal.
The All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) condemned the alleged incident, calling it “barbaric and unacceptable,” and demanded the immediate arrest of those involved. The students’ body warned of democratic agitation to ensure public safety on national highways and to uphold national dignity.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), an organisation representing Kuki-Zo communities, denied the allegations. CoTU said no formal complaint or First Information Report (FIR) had been lodged with any police station, security control room, or law enforcement agency in the state so far, and condemned what it described as reckless and malicious communal labelling of the alleged perpetrators.
Rajasthan finished first in the girls’ team events and second in the boys’ team events at the championships.