Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: The Football Players Association Kangpokpi (FPAK) has denounced a smear campaign targeting an injured professional athlete. The group labeled reports identifying footballer Paogoulal Chongloi as a militant following the June 15 attack in Leilon Munlui village as a malicious and fabricated effort to criminalize a civilian victim.
Chongloi was one of three civilians wounded during the assault. The association emphasized his background, noting he has a professional contract with Mohun Bagan Super Giant through 2027 and a history of training at academies including RoundGlass Punjab FC and Minerva Football Academy. The FPAK stated, "Labelling a professional footballer as a 'militant' is not merely false—it is a direct assault on truth, justice and the dignity of sport."
Beyond the false accusations, the association reported that the victims faced attempts to disrupt their emergency medical care at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal. Those injured, including a student and an internally displaced person, were eventually moved to Churachandpur to continue their recovery.
The FPAK is urging government and security agencies to stop the weaponization of false narratives against civilians. They are calling for an environment where medical treatment is protected from political interference and prejudice, allowing the victims to focus on their healing process.
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