Tipra Motha Party chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma met former Manipur CM N. Biren Singh in Imphal, discussing illegal immigration, development, and indigenous rights. Both leaders emphasized historic ties between Manipur and Tripura, vowing united action to safeguard socio-economic and cultural interests of the Northeast against infiltration challenges.
Tipra Motha Party (TMP) supremo and royal scion of Tripura, Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, held a high-profile meeting with former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in Imphal to deliberate on a range of issues concerning the Northeast, with illegal immigration emerging as the focal point of their discussions.
According to a senior BJP leader in Imphal, the meeting took place at Biren Singh’s residence and was attended by several former ministers and political leaders from Manipur. Both leaders exchanged views on illegal infiltration across the region’s porous borders, the socio-economic challenges facing indigenous communities, and prospects for regional development.
“Biren Singh and Debbarma spoke extensively about the pressing issue of illegal immigration, along with other developmental aspects concerning the Northeast. They also deliberated on socio-economic concerns affecting the indigenous tribals of the region,” the BJP leader said, requesting anonymity.
A Bond Rooted in History
Following the meeting, Debbarma took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share his sentiments about the visit. “It was wonderful meeting you yesterday. Kangleipak (Manipur) and Tipra (Tripura) have deep historical ties and this bond will continue as long as I am there. The people of our states need to work unitedly to ensure our next generation is secure,” he wrote.
The connection between Manipur and Tripura dates back centuries, with both having been princely states before their merger into the Indian Union on October 15, 1949. Along with Meghalaya, the two states became full-fledged states on January 21, 1972, under the North Eastern Region (Reorganisation) Act, 1971.
Biren Singh echoed Debbarma’s sentiments in his own post on X, expressing appreciation for the meeting. “It was an honour to host the founder and leader of the Tipra Motha Party, Maharaja Shri Pradyot Manikya Ji, at my residence. Manipur and Tripura share deep historical ties and a cordial relationship that continues to this day. As both our states face the pressing challenges of illegal immigration and encroachment, we discussed ways to work together to address these concerns. I am inspired by his steadfast commitment to the people of Tripura and the Northeast. Together, we will prevail,” Singh wrote.
The Challenge of Illegal Immigration
Illegal migration has been a persistent political and social concern in Tripura, which shares an 856 km long border with Bangladesh. The TMP, a political ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has consistently raised alarms over the demographic and cultural changes brought about by infiltration. The party has demanded that all illegal migrants be identified and deported to their countries of origin.
In a continuation of its efforts, a delegation of TMP leaders, led by Debbarma, recently met with the Election Commission of India (ECI) in New Delhi. The delegation urged the ECI to carry out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Tripura, similar to the procedure currently underway in Bihar, to detect and remove names of suspected illegal immigrants from voter lists.
Shared Concerns Across States
Manipur has also grappled with cross-border movement and encroachment, with the added dimension of ethnic tensions and insurgency issues complicating the state’s socio-political fabric. The meeting between Debbarma and Biren Singh underscored the need for a coordinated inter-state approach to tackle these shared challenges.
Both leaders emphasized that cooperation between Northeastern states was vital not only for addressing illegal immigration but also for promoting sustainable development and safeguarding indigenous cultures. Developmental priorities discussed reportedly included infrastructure upgrades, economic empowerment of tribal communities, and measures to strengthen border security.
Political Implications
The timing of this meeting is significant, as it comes in the backdrop of ongoing political churn in the Northeast, with alliances, agitations, and policy decisions closely intertwined with national political narratives. The BJP’s alliance with the TMP in Tripura has been critical for maintaining political stability in the state. Debbarma’s active engagement with leaders from neighbouring states may indicate efforts to forge a broader coalition of interests among tribal and regional parties.
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The discussions in Imphal are expected to influence upcoming policy debates in both Tripura and Manipur, particularly in matters related to border management, electoral integrity, and cultural preservation.
As both Debbarma and Biren Singh reaffirmed in their statements, the unity of Northeastern states in confronting these challenges will be essential to ensuring that the next generation inherits a secure, prosperous, and culturally vibrant region.
