Statue of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot unveiled at Leimaram
Villagers recall memory of the pioneer leaders
Source: IT News

Imphal, September 21 2016: A statue of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot was unveiled today at Shanti Keithel of Leimaram Village in Bishnupur District today.

Shantikeithel of Leimaram is one among the village at which Irabot held series of campaign for the rights of the peasant community.

The statue was constructed by an organization called Manipur Proletariat Peoples' Democratic Union (MPPDU) in memory of the day when Hijam Irabot went underground.

In on this day of 1948, Hijam Irabot, was issued warrant of arrest by the then Manipur Govt after a supporter of him had incidentally killed a policeman at Pungdongbam in Imphal East district.

Statue of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot unveiled at Leimaram

That time Irabot was organizing a meeting at MDU Hall of Yaiskul to opposed against the Indian government attempt to form a new state called Purbachal Pradesh by amalgamating the erstwhile Kingdom Manipur, Tripura, Cachar and Lushai Hills.

Soon after the then government issued arrest of warrant to Hijam Irabot he went underground and started a war against the ruling class for the rights of the proletariats.

In memory of the day as well as celebrating the 50 years of the Great Proletariat Cultural Revolution under great communist Leader Mao Tse Tung, the statue of Irabot was constructed and unveiled today at Shanti Keithel in Leimaram Village, said secretary of MPPDU, S.Samananda Meitei.

Retired Assistant teacher Leichombam Mangi Singh who attended today's function as presidium member, while speaking on the occasion recalled on how Lamyanba Irabot came to Leimaram and started mobilizing for the peasant community.

"That time I was hardly 11 years old, Hijam Irabot came to this village and organized a meeting at the Mandop of Eigya Nitai", Mangi said.

He added that he is happy that a statue of the pioneer leader of the state has been erected at the place as the place where the statue stand is also adjacent from that Mandop where Irabot had organized meeting for the right of the proletariat.

He also said that that time Irabot spoke up against the jamindary system and made the peasant understand that they have every right to get their share from their earning.

Leichombam Sanajaoba Meitei, Khullakpa of Leimaram Village narrated his childhood experience with the pioneer leader.

He recalled the slogan at Irabot had used to wake up the slumbered peasant of that time.

"Build your owned granary, build our owned bank, wake up fellow peasant, time to fight for your right, this was still echoed in my mind", said the Khullakpa.

He further added that he is proud to see a statue of the great leader in his village so that the new generation will at least know the leader who had awaken us.

Advisor of the Irabot Foundation Manipur, Namoijam Tomba, who attended the function as special invitees while speaking on the occasion narrated the life history of the pioneer leader.

He extended his heartfelt gratitude to the MPPDU for erecting the statue of the pioneer leader.

Meira Paibi Leaders, Gram Panchayat members Upa Pradhan, students and various people from the village attended and share their thoughts on the occasion.