Three north-eastern states to celebrate statehood day

Three north-eastern states - Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya - will celebrate their statehood day Wednesday, officials said Tuesday.

"On this day, the Manipur government organises various cultural programmes comprising music and dance as well as exhibitions. These events showcase the beauty and splendour of this state," an official said in Imphal.

A Tripura government official said in Agartala : "Acting Tripura governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya will inaugurate a five-day programme here to celebrate the statehood day."

An exhibition highlighting the development and achievements of Tripura since 1972 will also be inaugurated in Agartala by the governor.

The statehood day celebrations in Meghalaya would involve a series of events across the state, including a motorbike show at Polo Grounds in Shillong, organised by the department of sports and youth Affairs.

The erstwhile princely states of Tripura and Manipur were merged with India in October 1949 and became full-fledged states Jan 21, 1972.

Meghalaya was a part of Assam before becoming a full-fledged state under the North Eastern Region (Re-Organisation) Act, 1971.