The Twipra Students' Federation (TSF), the influential tribal students’ body in Tripura, on late Sunday evening announced the withdrawal of its indefinite statewide agitation, including road blockade, in Tripura from Monday after a crucial meeting with Chief Minister Manik Saha.
A five-member TSF delegation, led by Vice-President John Debbarma and General Secretary Hamalu Jamatia, after the meeting with the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction with the discussions and conveyed optimism about a resolution to their demand for the adoption of the Roman script for tribal Kokborok language.
The Chief Minister after the meeting with the TSF leaders said in a post on his X handle : “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. Looking forward to collaborative efforts towards a brighter future for Tripura!”
While talking with the media after the meeting with Saha, TSF General Secretary Jamatia said that the Chief Minister has assured us that he would discuss their demand with the cabinet and other leaders.
“Since he has taken the initiative to call us for discussions, we are hopeful that he will genuinely look into the matter. Hence, we are temporarily withdrawing the strike,” Jamatia said.
He further clarified that the TSF is not demanding the inclusion of Kokborok language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, asserting that script selection remains a state subject and can be resolved at the state level without any constitutional amendments.
The agitations over the script for Kokborok language has been going on for many years in Tripura, with various tribal organisations and political entities often weighing in on the debate.
The withdrawal of the state-wide agitation including road blockade marks a temporary pause in the agitation, but the TSF leadership has indicated that they will form a committee to closely monitor the state government’s actions before taking the next course of actions.
Meanwhile, Tripura Chief Minister on Friday said that the state government would not compromise with students' future and would resolve the tribal ‘Kokborok’ language script issue soon.
The Chief Minister in his statement on the first day of the week-long Budget session, had said that the government is sincerely studying the ‘Kokborok’ language script issue and would resolve the issue soon.
“There were detailed discussions, and a series of talks were held on the issue. We questioned why the Roman script and why not the Devanagari script to write in the ‘Kokborok’ language? Many discussions took place, but no concrete decision was made. Several agitations and protests were held for many years. The leadership also met with me and we discussed the matter. As per the recent tripartite agreement, this script issue is also included, and talks are ongoing,” Saha had told the House.
The Chief Minister’s statement in the Assembly comes after the TSF on Friday held a day-long demonstration demanding the adoption of the Roman script for tribal Kokborok language, and blockade the main VIP road leading to the Agartala Airport, Assembly, Civil Secretariat, High Court and other government installations.
The protest coincided with the first day of Tripura Assembly's budget Session, intensifying their decades-old demand for script reform for Kokborok language.
Rs 24000 Cr spend for expansion and development of National Highways in Tripura: MP Biplab Kumar Deb
MP for West Tripura Lok Sabha constituency Biplab Kumar Deb on Wednesday chaired MP’s Road Safety Committee Meeting here at Agartala and reviewed ongoing initiatives and discussed actionable steps to enhance road safety across the region.
BSF seizes drugs valued at Rs 4.41 crore in Tripura
Seizure of varied drugs, arms, ammunition, explosives and exotic animals in different northeastern states by the security forces continues unabated with highly addictive methamphetamine tablets valued at more than Rs 4.41 crore confiscated in Tripura on Wednesday, officials said.
CM Dr Manik Saha seeks financial assistance from Centre to make Tripura self-sufficiency in production of milk, egg, fish and meat
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Wednesday attended a high level task force meeting of the Ministry of Development of North East Region (DoNER) chaired by the Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia from Delhi.
CM Dr Manik Saha directs police to take prompt legal action against drug traffickers
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Wednesday chaired a meeting through video conferencing with the District Magistrates and Superintendent of Police of all the eight districts of the state and directed to listen to the people’s grievances and fix them accordingly for the overall development of the state.
Special traffic drive in GB Bazar to control congestion
In a bid to ease traffic congestion and maintain order on the roads, the traffic police conducted a special drive in the GB Bazar area of the capital this morning. The operation focused on removing several motorbikes that were improperly parked, violating traffic regulations.
Showers bring respite from heat in Tripura, Yellow alert issued
After days of oppressive heat, a sudden spell of rain swept across Tripura on Wednesday afternoon, offering much-needed relief to residents. The rainfall comes as the Meteorological Department issues a yellow alert for the next three days.
Tripura CM asks officials to visit rural areas each month and resolve problems swiftly
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday instructed the District Magistrates (DMs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) of each district to visit the rural areas of their respective jurisdictions every month and take prompt action in case of any deficiencies, and resolve the problems that arise.
National Herald case: Congress protests outside ED offices in northeastern states
Congress leaders claimed that through false allegations, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the direction of the Central government filed a chargesheet against the party's Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, among others.