The Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF) – the largest indigenous student group in Tripura – Sunday lifted its indefinite statewide strike called over the Kokborok script row. It also withdrew the ‘mega peaceful rally’ that was scheduled to be held in Agartala on Monday. The TSF started the indefinite strike on Friday demanding official recognition of the Roman script for Kokborok, which is the lingua franca of the tribal communities in the state. The student body also demanded that CBSE Class 10 and 12 papers for Kokborok be held afresh as invigilators in some centres ‘refused’ to translate Kokborok question papers set in the Bengali script. While Kokborok has a rich history and is an official language in Tripura, it does not have an officially recognised indigenous script. Kokborok is written in both Roman and Bengali scripts. The indefinite strike was lifted after a meeting between Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and a five-member TSF team led by union vice president John Debbarma was held at the former’s residence in Agartala on Sunday evening. “After getting a call from the chief minister, we came to the CM quarters today (Sunday). In the meeting, CM told us that our demand is genuine and he understands what students are facing, and what people are facing. He said that he is looking into it. So, for the time being, the strike has been withdrawn. However, we shall form a joint committee composed of members of TSF and other like-minded organisations to lead the movement in the future,” a TSF leader told reporters after meeting CM Saha. Another TSF leader said they were not against any language or script. “We respect the Bhasa movement. We asked the CM to keep both (Roman and Bengali) scripts,” he added. Earlier in the month, Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma had also flagged the purported denial of some invigilators to translate Kokborok question papers set in the Bengali script for Board examinees. He claimed that many tribal students had to turn in blank answer scripts after ‘non-cooperation’ by the invigilators. The student wing of the Tipra Motha, an ally of the ruling BJP in the state, had also extended its support to the indefinite strike called by TSF.
