3 young women from Manipur to set off on a 2,500 km cycle expedition

Imphal: A group consisting of 3 young female athletes from Manipur was set to start on a road journey by bicycle from Imphal to Delhi over the rise of crime against women and exploitation of child rights in the country.

They are 22 year-old Mathurabashimayum Bindiya Devi from Sagolband Moirang Hanuba Leirak, Imphal West, 17 year-old Sinam Roshni Devi from Kakching and 17 year-old Chakpram Naocha Chanu from Heikak Mapal Makha Leikai, Imphal East districts.

While briefing the media person during its press meet held at Press Club, Imphal M. Bindiya Devi said that the expedition was self-financed initiative which is a first such cycle expedition undertaken by the three young athletes under the theme “Stop Crime against Women and Child Labour” Group Ride.

The bicycle expedition will set off on December 23 at 10 am from Khuman Lampak, Imphal and will be flagged off by Junreiwon Thongam, wife of Works Minister, Thongam Biswajit and Manipuri actress Biju Ningombam.

Bindiya also told the media that the expedition is organised in order to promote women safety and stop the rising cases of crime against women and child labour in the state in particular and the country in general.

The expedition will cover at least 2,500 km on road and will cross Nagaland, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh before finally reach their destination in Delhi, she added.

Since such long expedition requires good health and stamina, Bindiya further said that they have been training every single day as athletes and it will help them adapt to various environment during their 20-day road journey.

All the three girls are currently undergoing training at Regular Coaching Center (RCC) at Khuman Lampak, Imphal and have also participated in the National Games earlier.

It maybe worth mentioning that for the last two consecutive years, Naocha has won a gold medal at the East Zone Junior Athletic Championship which was held in Bihar (2018) and Jharkhand (2019) in 3,000 metres race walk while Bindiya and Roshni are training for sprinter 100 and 200 meters and long-distance running 3,000 metres, respectively.