Agartala, September 4: As the three-day session of the Tripura Legislative Assembly commenced on Wednesday, the TIPRA Students’ Federation (TSF) organized a protest on one of Agartala’s prime roads, demanding the introduction of a Bill to recognize the Roman script for the Kokborok language. Kokborok, spoken by the majority of the indigenous population in Tripura, has seen demands for this recognition for over five decades.
TSF, one of the largest student organizations primarily comprising tribal students, gathered in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the circuit area. Wielding posters and placards, the protesters called for the adoption of the Roman script for Kokborok. The organization’s leaders, known for their close ties with TIPRA Motha’s founder, Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, led the demonstration.
Hamalu Jamatia, general secretary of TSF, emphasized that the recognition of the Roman script for Kokborok is a long-standing demand.
He urged tribal Ministers and MLAs to introduce a bill on the matter during the ongoing Assembly session.
“Kokborok deserves the same treatment and respect as other languages,” he stated.
Currently, TIPRA Motha, the largest regional political party in Tripura, is a part of the ruling alliance led by the BJP, with 13 MLAs, including two Ministers. This makes the demand for the Roman script particularly significant within the political landscape of the state.
The peaceful agitation, which caused traffic congestion on the busy VIP road leading to the airport, Secretariat, Assembly, High Court, and other districts, was eventually dispersed by the police after discussion with the leaders.
