Agartala : The scheduled protest program on March 24 over the Kokborok Script issue has been called off.
The Twipra Students Federation (TSF), a student organization of indigenous people of Tripura, has decided to cancel its scheduled protest program in Agartala set for Monday, March 24.
The decision came late Sunday evening after a ‘fruitful’ discussion between TSF representatives and Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha at his official residence.
The cancellation was formally announced by TSF General Secretary Hamalu Jamatia, who addressed the media shortly after the meeting.
Jamatia revealed that the Chief Minister had listened attentively to their grievances and expressed empathy for the challenges faced by Kokborok-speaking students.
“Dr. Saha assured us that he understands the difficulties our students encounter and is not opposed to the demand for Roman script,” Jamatia stated.
“We value his commitment to addressing this issue, and as a result, we have chosen to suspend the protest for now,” Jamatia added.
Providing further insight into the matter, TSF Vice President John Debbarma spoke exclusively to reporters, emphasizing that the Chief Minister had requested additional time to devise a lasting resolution.
“Dr. Saha urged us to remain patient, and in light of his appeal, we have agreed to defer Monday’s demonstration indefinitely,” Debbarma explained.
He underscored, however, that the TSF remains steadfast in its pursuit of Roman script recognition and will continue to press the cause. Debbarma also praised Dr. Saha’s constructive approach, noting it as a positive step toward dialogue and collaboration.
In a social media post, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha described the meeting ‘fruitful’.
He wrote, “Fruitful meeting with the Twipra Students Federation (TSF) delegation this evening! They shared their concerns and I assured them that we’ll work together to find solutions. I, appreciate their passion for “Ek Tripura, Viksit Tripura” and commitment to our state’s overall development”.
The student group had been advocating for the official adoption of the Roman script for writing and teaching the Kokborok language. The indigenous people are raising the demand for a long time.
In support of their demand, the TSF called an indefinite strike in the State from March 21 and accordingly blocked roads at multiple places across the state including in Agartala.
This brought the normal vehicular movements to a grinding halt and Board exam appearing students had a harrowing time.
It is also alleged the protestors even didn’t allow critical patient carrying ambulances to move forward. In a viral social media post, it was seen a helpless father who was carrying an months old sick baby to Agartala from Udaipur for treatment had return home owing to the unrelenting protestors.
When asked about these incidents, TSF leaders blatantly denied. However, people and guardians, even belonging to the indigenous communities criticized the ‘inhuman’ attitude of the next generation of Tripura.
“Their demand for Roman script is legitimate and they have every right to fight for this cause. However, on humanitarian ground, the senior leaders of these protestors must tell them to conduct agitation without affecting the vulnerable people, said an ambulance driver.
Notably, the demand for the use of Roman script for Kokborok is a long standing demand. In view of increase in English medium schools in the State, many indigenous students are unfamiliar with Bengali script and face it tough to answer question papers for Kokborok language in the State board and CBSE exams.
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Incumbent Dr Manik Saha-led Government held multiple meetings with the stakeholders. However, because of several constraints, Roman Script use could not be started. Instead, an arrangement was made that till a permanent solution, concerned invigilators would explain the Bengali Scripted questions to the students. According to some Indigenous leaders, this procedure is not effective and also time consuming. They were demanding immediate solution.
With Government is already working to solve the issue, cooperation from the TSF would help to proceed further without hampering development of the State, one of the TSF leaders said.
