‘Reangs migrated to Tripura from CHT long ago’, is the CM correct?
Agartala Oct 11: Yes, according to experts, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha’s statement is historically accurate. However, a few TIPRA Motha Party leaders have disputed his claim, without providing any concrete historical evidence, as of now, to support their counterargument.
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha, during the Hojagiri Festival in Santirbazar, South District, clearly stated that the Reang group is recognized as the second largest Janajati community in Tripura. After the Tripuri community, they are the next largest tribal group residing in the state. He further noted that the Reang Janajati migrated from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of present-day Bangladesh to Tripura many years ago, with the majority now living in Tripura and some in Mizoram and Assam.
Despite this clear historical account, some individuals have recently tried to distort facts and spread misinformation regarding the Chief Minister’s statement. Historical records, however, leave no room for doubt: the Chief Minister’s remarks are entirely accurate.
In contrast, statements by Tipra Motha MLA Philip Kumar Reang, MDC Bhaba Ranjan Reang, and Royal Scion and Founder of Tipra Motha Party Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma appear to distort history and spread misinformation. Their attempts to create controversy over the Reang community’s heritage are unfounded and reflect a lack of understanding of the community’s rich migratory and cultural history.
According to Tripurar Adivashi: Jiban o Sangskriti (Tribals of Tripura, Life and Culture) by Suren Debbarman, the Reang community originally lived along the sea coast and on the banks of the Karnaphuli River in present-day Bangladesh. Internal unrest forced them to migrate to the Tripura kingdom, where they first arrived during the reign of King Gobinda Manikya (1660–1667 AD). Queen Gunavarti Devi even adopted the Reangs, making them a favored community of the Tripura kings.
The book also traces the Reangs’ origins to the Shan State of Burma, from where they gradually moved through the Chittagong Hill Tracts and entered Tripura during the 13th century.
The Tribal Research and Cultural Institute, Government of Tripura, said Reangs are said to have come first from Shan State of upper Burma (now Myanmar) in different waves to the Chittagang Hill Tracts and then to Southern part of Tripura.
These well-documented historical facts clearly validate the Chief Minister’s statement.
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha’s remarks reaffirm the historical truth and highlight the enduring presence and cultural significance of the Reang community in Tripura, standing as a reminder that misinformation cannot rewrite history.
