Statehood Day: Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya

Context:

The President of India congratulated the people of Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya on the occasion of their 52nd Statehood Day. 

• These states attained statehood on January 21, 1972 under the North Eastern Region (Re-organization) Act, 1971.

About Statehood Day

• Identity Day: Statehood Day has been celebrated on an annual basis by a state to mark its formation, statehood, reorganization or other associated events.

Tripura:

• Tripura was a princely state till 15th November, 1949.
• The last king Bir Bikram, died on 17th May, 1947, immediately before India’s Independence.
  • After his demise, his minor son Kirri Bikram Mannikya took the throne, but could not rule as he was minor.
• So, his widow queen Kanchan Prabha took over the charge and became instrumental for Merger of the Tripura kingdom in the Indian Union.
• In 1972, the Union Territory of Tripura got statehood.

Manipur:

• Signing of Agreement: A few days before Independence, the Maharaja of Manipur, Bodhachandra Singh, signed the Instrument of Accession with the Indian government.
  • The “Instrument of Accession”, means the state agreed to become a part of the Union of India after independence.
• Elections held: Under the pressure of public opinion, the Maharaja held elections in Manipur.
  • In June 1948, the Maharaja of Manipur held elections under the pressure of the public, and the state became a constitutional monarchy. 
• In September 1949, the Government of India succeeded in pressuring the Maharaja into signing a Merger Agreement, without consulting the popularly elected Legislative Assembly of Manipur.
• In 1972, the Union Territory of Manipur got statehood.

Meghalaya:

• In 1947, the rulers of the Garo and Khasi region acceded to India after its independence.
• On 2nd April 1970, it came into existence as an autonomous state within the state of Assam,  through the Assam Reorganization (Meghalaya) Act 1969, comprising the United Khasi and Jaintia Hills and the Garo Hills districts.
• In 1972, the Sub-State of Meghalaya got statehood.

News Source: All India Radio