Remembering Tripura’s First Chief Minister Sachindra Lal Singh: A Forgotten Architect of Bangladesh’s Liberation War
(Born: 11 January 1907 – Died: 9 December 2000)
Twenty-five years ago on December 09 , 2000 first Chief Minister of Tripura Sachindra Lal Singh breathed his last leaving behind several decades of service to the people and the country. His service even blurred the boundaries as during 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War he played the key role and opened the border for the massive refugee incoming at the face of Pakistani genocides committed on the Bengali population in East Pakistan. As the Chief Minister of any state in the country he was the first to take a decisive and effective step towards the cause of Bangladesh, even before the central government or any other state government. His action, of course also caused his chief ministership as Singh had taken the step without even consulting all powerful then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
As it happened even long before the Bangladesh Liberation War broke in 1971 or Pakistanis launched the barbaric Operation Searchlight, Singh played a key role and sought to help Sheikh Mujibar Rahaman to free his country—that was in 1963. It was sometimes in January that year Sheikh Mujibar Rahaman came to Agartala via Asharambari , Khowai with his two friends ( who were later joined by five others) to seek help from New Delhi via Singh for liberation of East Pakistan. Mujibar Rahaman during his brief stay in Agartala stayed at the residence of Singh’s sister Hemangini Devi at Arundhutinagar. He also spent nights at Singh’s official residence, while his sister Hemangini Sing personally cooked for Mujib and his aides. Singh along with his Chief Secretary B Raman visited New Delhi and discussed the matter with the then Prime Minister Pt Jawharlal Nehru. But Nehru could not agree to help Mujibar Rahaman then as only months ago India had a bad experience in Sino-Indian war.
Born outside Tripura but regarded as a “son of the soil”, Sachindra Lal Singh remains etched in public memory as the state’s foremost moderniser. A freedom fighter who spent 17 years in British prisons, he was among 97 national freedom fighters specially recognised by the Government of India. He later chaired the Freedom Fighters’ Pension Committee.
During his 24-year tenure as Tripura’s administrative head, Singh’s decisions shaped the state’s political and developmental trajectory. He nominated eminent educationist Triguna Sen to the Rajya Sabha, helping secure key commitments such as ONGC’s expansion in the region. Landmark projects like Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital and early power and technical education initiatives were also realised under his watch.
During the 1971 Liberation War, Singh played a crucial role—opening borders, providing shelter, and extending material support to the Bangladesh struggle. Following Bangladesh’s independence, Mujibur Rahman personally brought Sing to Dhaka, where he was given a red-carpet reception and Guard of Honour. Bangladesh later honoured him posthumously with the “Muktijuddho Moitri Sammanana” in 2012.
Singh’s strong political convictions brought him into direct confrontation with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. On 1 November 1971, after visiting refugee camps with Siddhartha Shankar Ray, Indira Gandhi told him his assistance to the Mukti Bahini risked international war. Singh firmly replied that he acted in the nation’s interest. That very night, the Centre imposed President’s Rule in Tripura. Undeterred, Sing moved out of the CM residence and continued his political fight, later winning as an Independent MP.
His contributions also include expanding sports infrastructure, promoting women’s education by donating property for the establishment of Agartala Women’s College, and building deep ties with Tripura’s tribal communities.
Singh passed away in 2000, but thousands still gather every year on his birth anniversary to honour the man remembered both as Tripura’s architect and a silent pillar of Bangladesh’s liberation.
His elder son, Ashish Lal Singh, a former state president of the Trinamool Congress and now a member of the BJP State Committee is presently active in politics and like his father is known for his grassroots accessibility and social work across the hills and plains of Tripura.
