Imphal: Authorities in Manipur have ordered a probe into allegations that a Rajasthan school team participating in the National School Games was extorted by an armed group during its travel to Imphal, officials said on Monday.
The matter surfaced after the father of one of the players alleged on social media that the team was detained at gunpoint and forced to pay money.
No formal complaint, however, was lodged by the team management with the local authorities during their stay in the state.
According to officials, the alleged incident took place on January 13, when the 52-member contingent of boys and girls was travelling by bus from Dimapur in Nagaland to Imphal to take part in the Wushu competition.
The team left Manipur early on Monday after completing the event.
In a video clip that circulated widely on social media, the player’s father claimed that militants stopped the team, detained them for nearly two hours and extorted money.
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 the 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 said.
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.
In a letter to the Imphal West Superintendent of Police, Director of Youth Affairs and Sports M. Veto Singh requested necessary action to examine the extortion allegations circulating on social media and initiate legal proceedings if required.
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Officials said 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 put up a strong performance 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.
