Biren on Delhi mission
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 07: Sports Minister N Biren today left for New Delhi to pressurise all concerned to conduct a fresh dope test on weight-lifter Laishram Monika so as to clear the controversy which may allow her to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games.

Talking to mediapersons before boarding his flight at Tulihal Airport here today, Biren said that the State Government is really concerned about the last minute announcement made by Executive Director of SAIRK Naidu that Monika has been removed from the Olympic squad of the country as she tested positive in a dope test.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh addresses the media in the wake of L Monika Devi being withdrawn from Beijing-bound Indian contingent

The Government is deputing him to New Delhi to communicate with all concerned for conducting dope test on Monika again to find out the truth of the matter and allow her to participate in the Olympic Games if the charge is false.

The Sports Minister informed that soon after his arrival at Delhi he would go to meet the Union Minister of State Prithiviraj Chavan and Union Minister of Sports (Independent Charge) MS Gill along with an open letter written by the Chief Minister to the effect of conducting an investigation and to find out the truth of the matter.

Moreover, the Minister said he would also meet the officials of the Indian Weighlighting Federation to exert pressure for conducting re-test on Monika and discuss other possible ways of allowing her to take part in the Olympic Games, Lastly, the Minister appealed to the people of the State in general and the sports lover in particular not to the issue emotionally and resort to calling bandh and general strike in protest.The Minister left for Delhi by an Indian Airlines flight at half pass noon.