Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha visited TIPRA Motha president and former MLA Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl at a private hospital in Agartala on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. The 79-year-old veteran leader has been admitted due to multiple health complications. Dr. Saha extended his best wishes for a swift recovery, stating on social media, “My thoughts and prayers are with him during this challenging time.”
A Legacy of Leadership
Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl, a prominent figure in Tripura’s political landscape, has held key leadership roles throughout his career. He was the president of the Tripura National Volunteers (TNV), which led a decade-long insurgency before signing a tripartite peace accord in August 1988 in the presence of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The TNV later transitioned into a political entity, merging with the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Twipra (INPT) in 2001. Hrangkhawl served as INPT president and was elected as an MLA from the Ambassa constituency in 2002, a position he retained for two subsequent terms.
In 2021, INPT and other tribal political groups united under TIPRA Motha to advocate for Greater Tipraland, a separate state for Tripura’s indigenous tribes. Hrangkhawl has since been a pivotal figure in TIPRA Motha, which currently governs the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council and is an alliance partner in the BJP-led state government.
Support Across Political Lines
Leaders from various political parties have visited Hrangkhawl to express their support. Rajeshwar Debbarma, a senior TIPRA Motha leader and former MLA, criticized media reports referring to Hrangkhawl as a “former extremist leader,” calling it a “grave injustice” to a visionary who has dedicated his life to protecting the rights and identity of Tripura’s indigenous people.
Historical Context
Hrangkhawl’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the political aspirations of Tripura’s indigenous population, which accounted for 33% of the state’s population in the last census. His efforts have been pivotal in advocating for the rights and dignity of the indigenous community, whose majority status was altered following Tripura’s merger with India in 1949.
The Chief Minister’s visit underscores the respect and recognition Hrangkhawl commands across the political spectrum, reflecting his enduring influence in Tripura’s socio-political fabric.
