Footballer threatens to return Arjuna award

Prominent footballer and Arjuna awardee Chandreshwar Prasad, on an indefinite fast for the fifth day, Saturday threatened to return his award if his former employers, Bihar State Road Transport Corporation, fail to clear his dues.

The ailing former India skipper sat on a fast-unto-death on August 15 at Kargil Chowk in Patna but was forced by the district authorities to vacate from the area. He then moved to J P roundabout to continue his fast.

Popularly known as C Prasad, the footballer is on fast in protest against the alleged inordinate delay in releasing his provident fund, salaries and other perks by the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation from which he had resigned.

Prasad said he had even approached the Prime minister, Union Sports Minister and Chief Minister for early release of his dues but failed to elicit any response from them.

Threatening to return the Arjuna award if his dues are not settled, Prasad pleaded, ''What will the Arjuna award do when my family members will starve for want of money?

''I request my well-wishers to come forward and rescue me.''