Tripura on Sunday celebrated the 42nd Kokborok Day by renaming Baramura Hills in the indigenous language.

Henceforth, the range will be known by its indigenous equivalent, Hathai Kotor, chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb said while inaugurating the event at Umakanta School ground here.

Deb kept his word to deliver his speech in Kokborok, a promise he had made last year on the occasion.

“People can learn any language if they accept it by heart — one just needs to develop such mentality. In Tripura, of the 32 per cent indigenous population, 29 per cent speak in Kokborok,” Deb said.

Later, Deb told reporters, “It was decided at a cabinet meeting on Saturday to mark this day and show respect to this language.”

Deb said Baramura Hills is located in the midst of National Highway 8 which is also the lifeline of the state.

He said the government has submitted a series of proposals to the Centre for the development of the indigenous people of the state.“More than Rs 8,000 crore has been sought from the Centre to develop the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) areas of the state.”

“A private member resolution bill has been placed in the state Assembly to increase the number of seats in the ADC from 30 to 50, including the nominated. There are also proposals to hand over 42 departments to the ADC administration,” Deb said, adding that the forest land deeds would be offered to 1.3 lakh indigenous people within two years.

“We shall seek vote on grounds of the development. We will furnish a report card for our work and try to convince the voters. If they are happy they will give us another chance, otherwise, some other party will be elected democratically.”

Later, Deb flagged off a colourful rally of schoolchildren who had come from across Agartala city.

Sports minister Manoj Kanti Deb, education minister Ratan Lal Nath, forest and tribal welfare minister Mevar Kumar Jamatia were present at the event.