The Manipur government has ordered an inquiry into allegations that a Rajasthan school team participating in the National School Games was extorted by an armed group during its journey to Imphal, officials said.
The issue came to light after the father of one of the players alleged on social media that the team was detained at gunpoint and forced to pay money. However, officials said no formal complaint was lodged by the team management with local authorities during their stay in the state.
According to officials, the alleged incident took place on January 13 when a 52-member contingent of boys and girls from Rajasthan was travelling by bus from Dimapur in Nagaland to Imphal to participate in the Wushu competition. The team left Manipur early on Monday after completing the event.
In a video clip that went viral on social media, the player’s father claimed that militants intercepted the bus, detained the team for nearly two hours and extorted money from them. Officials said they became aware of the allegation only after the video surfaced online.
“No grievance was brought to our notice while the team was in Manipur,” an official said, adding that a control room was located close to the hostel at Khuman Lampak Stadium where the players were accommodated. “Had the matter been reported at that time, immediate action could have been taken,” the official added.
Despite the absence of a formal complaint, the state government has initiated an enquiry. Police have been directed to verify the claims and ascertain the facts surrounding the alleged incident.
In a letter to the Superintendent of Police, Imphal West, Director of Youth Affairs and Sports M. Veto Singh requested necessary action to examine the extortion allegations circulating on social media and to initiate legal proceedings if required.
Officials also noted that the Rajasthan contingent departed Imphal without raising the issue with the authorities. “We came to know about the alleged extortion only through the video clips shared online after the team had left,” an official said.
The Rajasthan team had travelled by train to Dimapur before entering Manipur and performed strongly at the national-level event, with the girls’ team securing first place and the boys finishing second.
The 69th National School Games Championships 2025–26 were inaugurated last week at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium by the Governor of Manipur. The event was held amid continuing security concerns in the state, which has been under President’s Rule since February last year following ethnic violence that has claimed over 260 lives and displaced thousands since May 2023.
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