‘One North East’: Meghalaya CM and NE leaders pitch for united struggle to protect identity
Agartala, Nov 27 (LatestNewsX) – Meghalaya’s Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad K. Sang Mahayti, joined by other tribal leaders from across the Northeast, urged a “One North East” alliance on Thursday to safeguard the region’s land rights, traditions, languages and cultural heritage.
Sang Mahayti spoke at a rally under the banner “One North East Thansa (Unity)” in Agartala, insisting that unity is essential for protecting the indigenous peoples’ rights. He noted that the area can only thrive if it draws on collective strength and solidarity, and he declared that the NPP was now united under the “One North East” banner to protect the region’s land, customs, languages and culture.
The leader further observed that previous generations had fought hard for the Northeast’s development and overall welfare, but internal divisions have since weakened the collective voice. “We have been split into various communities, and this division has muted our strength. We must stay together and move forward as one to reach our objectives,” Sang Mahayti said, also praising Joynath Patel, the super‑president of the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), for his steadfast advocacy of indigenous rights.
During the same meeting, TMP founder Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma argued that criticism rises only when TMP organizes public gatherings in Agartala. He added, without naming the BJP‑led Tripura government, that other parties such as the CPI(M) and Congress rarely face opposition when they hold rallies.
Debbarma, a former royal scion, accused national parties of weakening regional forces across states such as Assam, Maharashtra, Odisha and Punjab. “People in Delhi do not appreciate those from the Northeast,” he remarked. He reiterated the party’s Call for “Tipraland,” stating, “One day we will achieve Tipraland. We must join forces with all regional parties to secure our demands and defend our rights.”
The group also pushes for “Greater Tipraland,” a separate state for tribals under Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution, along with timely elections of village committees in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) and the removal of illegal migrants. Since 2021, TMP has governed the 30‑member TTAADC, which covers two‑thirds of Tripura’s 10,491 sq km and houses more than 12.16 lakh people, about 84 % of whom are tribals.
In addition to Sang Mahayti and Debbarma, the rally featured speeches from several prominent tribal leaders across the Northeast. Speakers included former Manipur Assembly speaker and minister Hemochandra Singh, founder of the People’s Party from Dima Hasao district Daniel Langthasa, NPP’s National Working President J. M. Sang, former BJP national spokesperson and ex‑Nagaland minister Mmhonlumo Kikon, and founder president of the Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front Ajoy Edwards, among others.
Earlier, on Nov 4, the NPP, TMP and other regional parties and leaders convened in New Delhi for a summit, announcing the creation of a unified front to champion indigenous issues. Meghalaya Chief Minister Sang Mahayti said a nine‑member committee was set up to develop the common platform within 45 days; NPP’s National Working President J. M. Sang will chair the committee, while former BJP national spokesperson and ex‑Nagaland minister Mmhonlumo Kikon will serve as secretary.
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