Agartala: Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People’s Party president Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday called for a united regional front under the banner of “One North East” to safeguard the identity, land rights, customs and languages of indigenous communities across the region.
Addressing a rally organised in Agartala by Tipra Motha Party (TMP), a BJP ally in Tripura, Sangma said the Northeast can progress only through collective strength and renewed solidarity.
He warned that internal divisions have weakened the region’s voice despite the efforts of earlier generations who fought for its development.
“We must protect our land, customs, languages and culture. For that, we are now united with ‘One North East’,” Sangma said, praising TMP founder Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma for championing tribal rights.
Debbarma, speaking at the rally, alleged that TMP alone faces objections when holding public meetings in Agartala, unlike other parties.
He accused national parties of attempting to diminish regional political forces across states and reiterated his long-standing demand for a separate “Tipraland” state.
He said regional parties must stand together to protect indigenous rights.
TMP, which has been pushing for “Greater Tipraland” under Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution, also continues to demand early village committee elections in areas under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) and the deportation of illegal migrants.
The party has governed the 30-member TTAADC since 2021, overseeing a region that covers two-thirds of Tripura and is home to a predominantly tribal population.
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Several tribal leaders from across the Northeast joined Sangma and Debbarma at the rally, including former Manipur Assembly Speaker Hemochandra Singh, Dima Hasao’s People’s Party founder Daniel Langthasa, NPP national working president J. M. Sangma, former Nagaland minister Mmhonlumo Kikon, Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front founder Ajoy Edwards and Manipur veteran R. K. Meghen.
Earlier this month, regional leaders from across the Northeast met in New Delhi and agreed to form a new political front under a common banner to pursue indigenous issues collectively.
A nine-member committee has been set up to work out the framework within 45 days, with J. M. Sangma as convener and Kikon as member secretary.
