Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya celebrate 41st statehood day

Three northeastern states -- Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya -- celebrated their 41st statehood day Saturday with colourful functions and numerous programmes.

"Under the North Eastern Region (reorganisation) Act, 1971, Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya became full-fledged states Jan 21, 1972," Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said at the celebration function in Agartala.

"To develop the northeastern states at par with the mainland states, much remains to be done, be it in terms of economic development or rooting out terrorism," he added.

"With militancy on the wane, Tripura is witnessing rapid industrialisation in sectors like natural gas, forestry, rubber besides development in horticulture, agriculture, health and education," Sarkar said.

The erstwhile princely states of Tripura and Manipur merged with India in 1949 and became union territories before getting the status of full-fledged states. Meghalaya was formed as an autonomous state April 2, 1970, after being carved out of Assam and then became a full-fledged state.

Manipur Governor Gurbachan Jagat said in Imphal that no one can deny the fact that the state is lagging behind other developed states of the country as far as overall development is concerned.

"There is the need to catch up on lost opportunities and hasten the process of growth and development in Manipur. Development can be accelerated only when there is complete peace and harmony," the governor said.

Without referring to the activities of the separatist outfits, he said: "Everyone should contribute their best in achieving peace and stability in Manipur."