IMPHAL, May 5:  A football coach in Manipur has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting multiple trainees at a private football academy he runs in Imphal East district. The accused, identified as 45-year-old Nongthombam Mangalsana Meetei, was taken into custody by Manipur Police on Sunday afternoon.

Meetei, a resident of Kontha Khabam Maning Leikai under Heingang Police Station, operates the Mangal Football Academy from his residence at Khabam Lamkhai. The allegations surfaced after one of the trainees informed his parents about the repeated abuse he faced at the hands of the academy’s founder, prompting him to withdraw from the training program.

“When I visited my son, he said he didn’t want to stay at the academy anymore. Later, he told me everything,” a guardian said. “As guardians, we demand that the authorities shut down the academy.”

According to the complaint filed with the police, the academy has 11 male trainees and also conducts sessions at the Achanbigei ground in the same district. The accused has been charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

Police stated that the coach was arrested for “habitually committing sexual assault and other crimes on the inmates of this football academy.” Parents of other trainees have also alleged that their children were assaulted by Meetei at both the academy and the training ground.

A senior police officer confirmed that boys aged between 10 and 16 had reported the abuse. Following the disclosure by the students, their guardians lodged an FIR at Heingang Police Station. The trainees have reportedly given their statements to the police as part of the investigation.

Several parents also raised concerns that the academy restricted contact with their children and prohibited the use of mobile phones by the trainees. They have urged the authorities to take strict action and conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

Police confirmed that an investigation is ongoing and that the accused is currently in custody.