The Assam government proposes to make Manipuri the Associate Official Language in three districts of Barak Valley and Hojai in central Assam

The Assam government proposed to make Manipuri the Associate Official Language in three districts of Barak Valley and Hojai in central Assam.

Assam's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika tabled The Assam Official Language (Amendment) Bill, 2024 on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who holds the home department.

In the Statement of Objects and Reasons, Sarma said that a substantial number of people living in the Barak valley and other parts of the state speak Manipuri language and there have been persistent demands to officially recognise their language.


The Assam cabinet on February 23 approved Manipuri as the associate official language for four districts of Assam which include Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi and Hojai.

The decision was taken in order to preserve and protect the cultural social and linguistic identity of the Manipuri people in the state of Assam.