Nirupam Chakma appointed to NCST

Mizoram Minister and current National Council Member of the BJP Nirupam Chakma was appointed as member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes by President DroupadiMurmu in an order issued on Saturday. Nirupam Chakma (63) is the first member of Chakma community to become member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes and the first one from Mizoram.

A veteran Congress leader, Nirpuam Chakma was the first Minister of Mizoram from Chakma community and was minister of state for two consecutive terms (1989-1993 and 1993-1998). He was elected to the 40-member state legislative assembly for 5 terms from Chawngte assembly seat, now renamed as Tuichawng constituency. He was defeated by Mizo National Front (MNF) nominee Rasik Mohan Chakma in 2003 state assembly elections.

Earlier he was elected to the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) and had served the council in different capacities. Nirupam Chakma left the Congress party and joined the BJP in 2015 and became the vice president of the saffron party’s Mizoram unit. He contested the 2019 Parliamentary general elections from Mizoram seat, but did not make it to Parliament.  At present, he is president of the Chakma National Council of India (CNCI).