Agartala, February 8: The Tipra Indigenous Students Federation (TISF), one of the biggest tribal student organization, has announced an indefinite strike across Tripura in protest against the Tripura Board of Secondary Education’s (TBSE) decision to restrict students appearing for Kokborak language in state board exams for classes ten and twelve to only using the Bengali script, eliminating the option to reply in Bengali or English, which was permitted until last year.
Sajra Debbarma, the central president of TISF speaking to NEL, declared this decision, expressing disappointment over the TBSE president’s recent reversal.
The TBSE president only three days ago had allowed students the choice of scripts but has now reinstated the requirement for answering Kokborok language exams solely in Bengali script.
Initially, the student body had threatened widespread agitation if the option of Roman and Bengali scripts wasn’t provided. However, after the board president’s assurance of offering both options, they welcomed the decision and rescinded their agitation plans.
Nevertheless, with the board’s subsequent policy reversal, TISF convened a meeting at Khumulwng on Thursday, deciding to proceed with the indefinite strike, with the specific date to be announced on Friday.
