In a moving tribute that resonated with calls for unity and healing, Thanga AC MLA Tongbram Robindro declared that Manipur will only return to true normalcy when all internally displaced persons (IDPs) are able to return to their native villages.
Speaking at the unveiling of Rifleman Heisnam Jiten’s statue at Thanga Heisnam, Bishnupur district, the MLA emphasised that the soul of Manipur lies in the collective presence of all its indigenous communities.
“Manipur cannot be called Manipur if even one among the 33 or 34 indigenous communities is missing,” Robindro said, calling for unity across all ethnic lines.
His statement comes amid displacement caused by ongoing unrest in the state.
The statue commemorates Rifleman Heisnam Jiten of the 5th Manipur Rifles, attached to the Manipur Police Commando, who made the ultimate sacrifice on May 11, 2023, while defending the land against narco-terrorists at Toronglaobi Mamang in Bishnupur.
Robindro hailed Jiten’s sacrifice as a symbol of unyielding courage and dedication to the integrity of Manipur.
“May this statue stand as a timeless tribute to his unyielding courage, a constant reminder of the valor that shields our land and the spirit that unites Manipur. Our duty is clear—to honor and protect it, just as Jiten did,” added Robindro.
