Lakhipur

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Lakhipur is a town and municipal board in Cachar district, Assam. It is the administrative headquarters of Lakhipur Sub-Division, one of the three sub-divisions in Cachar. The town sits in the Barak Valley near the border with Manipur, making it an important trade point between the two states. The area is known for tea gardens and a mix of Bengali, Manipuri, and Dimasa cultures.

The name Lakhipur may come from the Hindu goddess Lakshmi or from Dimasa Kachari King Laxminarayan. The town is located around 24.8°N, 93.0°E, about 22 meters above sea level. It lies on the plains of the Barak River with low hills nearby. The region has a humid subtropical climate with heavy rainfall from May to October. Fertile soil supports crops like rice, areca nut, and tea.

In 2011, Lakhipur town had 10,277 residents (roughly equal numbers of men and women). The literacy rate was very high at about 91%, with men around 95% and women about 87%. The community includes Bengali Hindus and Muslims, Manipuri Meiteis, Dimasa, and Tea-Tribe groups. The principal languages are Bengali and Meitei, with Assamese and Hindi also understood.

Lakhipur has a Municipal Board with 10 wards and serves as the headquarters for the Lakhipur Sub-Division. Government offices in the town cover police, education, public works, agriculture, health, and other departments.

Economy here is mainly agricultural. Major crops are rice, betel nut, tea, and vegetables. Nearby tea estates like Jatinga Valley, Rajnagar, Binnakandi, and Sonai provide jobs and exports. Small industries include handloom weaving, bamboo craft, and food processing. Its border location helps it act as a trade link between Cachar and Manipur, with growing retail, transport, and warehousing.

Lakhipur is about 30 km east of Silchar. The Silchar–Jiribam railway line, now broad gauge, passes through the area, linking it to Manipur and Mizoram. Regular buses and shared taxis connect Lakhipur to Silchar, Jiribam, and Imphal. The nearest airport is Silchar Airport (IXS), about 45 km away, with flights to Guwahati, Kolkata, and other cities.

Politically, Lakhipur Assembly constituency is one of Assam’s 126 state constituencies, and the current MLA is Kaushik Rai of BJP. Lakhipur is part of the Silchar Lok Sabha constituency.