Agartala: Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) supremo Conrad K. Sangma and other tribal leaders from Northeast states on Thursday called for “One Northeast” unity to protect the land rights, customs, language, and culture of the region’s people.
Addressing a rally in Agartala under the “One Northeast Thansa” (Unity) campaign, NPP chief and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma appealed for unity among the people of the Northeast to protect the land rights, customs, language, and culture of the indigenous people.
Addressing the rally organized by the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), an ally of the ruling BJP, Sangma said that the region can only progress through joint strength and unity.
The NPP national president said, “We have to protect our land, customs, language, and culture, and for this we have now united with ‘One Northeast.'” He said that the people of the Northeast had consistently fought for the region’s development and the overall well-being of the people, but internal divisions have weakened the situation and weakened everyone’s voice.
Sangma said, “We are divided into different communities, and our voice and strength have weakened. We must remain united and work together to achieve our goals. Whatever challenges we face, we must fight together,” he said, praising TMP supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma for his continued efforts for the indigenous people.
Speaking at the rally, TMP founder Chief Debbarma alleged that objections are raised only when the TMP holds public meetings in Agartala.
Without naming the BJP-led Tripura government, he said, “When the CPI(M) and Congress hold rallies, there are no objections, but when the TMP calls a public meeting, objections arise.” Debbarma, a former royal descendant, criticized national parties, alleging that they have weakened regional political forces in several states.
He claimed, “National parties have either eliminated or weakened regional parties in Assam, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Punjab. People in Delhi don’t like people from the Northeast.” Reiterating his demand for “Tipraland,” he said, “One day we will definitely achieve Tipraland. We must fight together with all regional parties to fulfill our demands and protect our rights.”
The party is also demanding “Greater Tipraland,” a separate state for tribals under Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution—and the early conduct of long-delayed village committee elections in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) areas and the expulsion of illegal migrants.
Since 2021, the TMP has been governing the politically crucial TTAADC, a 30-member body that covers two-thirds of Tripura’s 10,491 sq km area and is home to over 1.216 million people, approximately 84 percent of whom are tribals.
In addition to Sangma and Debbarma, several other prominent tribal leaders from various Northeastern states addressed the rally, which was considered a significant political event in Tripura’s politics.
Speakers at the gathering included former Manipur Assembly Speaker and former minister Hemochandra Singh, People’s Party founder Daniel Langthasa from Assam’s Dima Hasao district, NPP National Working President J.M. Sangma, former BJP national spokesperson and former Nagaland minister Mhonlumo Kikon, founding president of the Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front Ajay Edwards, and veteran Manipur leader R.K. Meghen.
Meanwhile, on November 4, the NPP, TMP, along with other regional parties and leaders from the Northeast states, following a summit in New Delhi, announced the formation of a new regional political front under a single banner to highlight the issues of the region’s indigenous people.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Sangma announced that a nine-member committee has been formed to work out the details of the proposed common platform within 45 days.
NPP National Working President J.M. Sangma will be the convener, while former BJP national spokesperson and former Nagaland minister Mhonlumo Kikon will be the committee’s member secretary.
