BY TC News Desk
Agartala, August 28: Widespread turmoil gripped various parts of Tripura as the Twipra Students Federation (TSF), an indigenous student body affiliated with the North East Students Organisation (NESO), orchestrated a day-long shutdown and mounted protests that included the blockading of national highways.
At the heart of the TSF’s agitation is the call for the adoption of the Roman script for the Kokborok language, spoken by the largest indigenous population in Tripura. Simultaneously, the TSF is urging the prompt introduction of the 125th Amendment Bill in the Parliament and its subsequent implementation within the state of Tripura. This demand, according to TSF, aligns with the greater interests of the state’s populace.
The protest unfolded in various regions, including Agartala, Hezamara, Bisramganja, Sonamura, Hatai Kothor, and others, paralyzing normal life and drawing attention to their cause. Responding to the escalating situation, the Tripura Police deployed a substantial contingent comprising Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and Tripura State Rifles Jawans across the state. During the demonstrations, law enforcement made several arrests, and eventually, the roadblocks were cleared.
One of the TSF agitators said, “Today, TSF has enforced a 12-hour shutdown across Tripura. Our fundamental demand is the adoption of the Roman script for Kokborok, our native language. Regrettably, the Tripura Government has not taken any concrete steps in this regard, prompting us to resort to widespread protests”.
They underscored the prolonged struggle, spanning 70 years, for their demand to be acknowledged—a demand centered around the Kokborok language’s shift to the Roman script.
“We advocate for the utilization of the Roman script for the Kokborok language. Despite our persistent appeals and our expressed unwillingness to take exams in English or Bengali, the state government has yet to address our legitimate concerns,” the agitator said.
