Manipur violence | Indian footballer Jeakson Singh wraps himself in Meitei flag after SAFF final

National team’s Manipuri footballer Jeakson Singh created a flutter by wrapping himself in a Meitei flag while collecting his individual medal after India beat Kuwait in the final of the SAFF Championship.

National team's Manipuri footballer Jeakson Singh created a flutter on July 4 night by wrapping himself in a Meitei flag while collecting his individual medal after India beat Kuwait in the final of the SAFF Championship.

The flag Jeakson wrapped himself in, is called Flag of Kangleipak or Salai Taret Flag — a rectangular seven-colour flag which represents the seven clan dynasties of the Meitei ethnicity in ancient Manipur.

The North-Eastern State is in turmoil since ethnic clashes broke out between Meitei and Kuki communities in May.

The Meitei community has been demanding its inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list like the Kuki community, whose members primarily reside in the hills. The tribal communities have protested the Meitei demand.

The Indian Government had to deploy military to restore peace in the region with more than 100 people losing their lives along with mass destruction of public and private property.

Jeakson belongs to Meitei clan and his gesture led to widespread criticism with netizens putting up photographs and stills of Salai Taret flag being hoisted after destroying Kuki churches.

The 22-year-old mid-fielder, who became the first Indian to score in a FIFA World Cup in the 2017 edition of the U17 tournament at home, late in the night backtracked after his symbolic gesture attracted criticism from some quarters.