The Football Players Association Kangpokpi (FPAK) has strongly condemned what it described as a “malicious and fabricated campaign” attempting to portray an injured professional footballer as a ‘militant’ following the recent attack on Leilon Munlui village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district.
In a statement issued on June 17, the association expressed its “deepest outrage” over allegations levelled against footballer Paogoulal Chongloi, one of three civilians injured in the June 15 attack by suspected armed militants.
Rejecting the allegations as “reckless, defamatory and irresponsible”, FPAK said attempts to portray an injured athlete as a militant amounted to the criminalisation of an innocent victim at a time when he was focused on recovery and medical treatment.
“Labelling a professional footballer as a militant is not merely false—it is a direct assault on truth, justice and the dignity of sport,” the association stated.
Highlighting Chongloi’s footballing journey, FPAK said he began his career at Football for Change Academy before joining the youth set-up of Punjab FC and later trained at Minerva Football Academy. After returning to Manipur, he continued his development at Sadar Hills Football Academy and subsequently earned selection to the Under-18 squad of Mohun Bagan Super Giant. According to the association, he remains under contract with the club until 2027.
The association noted that the three injured individuals represented different civilian backgrounds—a professional footballer, an internally displaced person and a student—and questioned efforts to link them with militant activities.
FPAK also alleged that attempts were made to obstruct emergency medical treatment for the injured at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, before they were later shifted to Churachandpur for further treatment.
“A footballer carrying the aspirations of countless young sports enthusiasts, an innocent student and a displaced civilian are now battling injuries while facing a cruel campaign of misinformation,” the statement said.
Describing the developments as an attempt to vilify victims rather than focus on those responsible for the violence, the association urged authorities to ensure that medical treatment remains free from political interference, prejudice and obstruction.
FPAK further appealed to the government and security agencies to uphold justice, protect human dignity and prevent what it termed the “weaponisation of false narratives” against civilians injured in conflict-related incidents.
