Tribal Unity: A Call for New States in Northeast India

Tribal groups from Assam's Karbi Anglong, Meghalaya's Garo Hills, and Tripura are uniting for a significant protest in Delhi next month, seeking separate states, members of an umbrella organization revealed this Wednesday. Activists from these regions will gather at Jantar Mantar, under the National Federation for New States (NFNS), to vocalize their long-standing demand for new states carved from tribal-majority areas.

NFNS Secretary Stalin Ingti emphasized, "This is not a fresh issue," reiterating their demand for independence for areas like Karbi Anglong, Garo Hills, and Tripura. The call for separate states stems from grievances that unlike Telangana, the tribal communities in India's Northeast continue to be ignored.

NFNS is actively organizing meetings in cities like Tura, Karbi Anglong, and Vidarbha to boost support. Garo Hills Autonomous District Council Deputy Chief Executive, Nikman Ch Marak, expressed intentions to engage in dialogue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah post-August 23. Besides, the federation incorporates various regional groups, showing a united front ahead of the Delhi demonstration.

(With inputs from agencies.)