Hezamara, Tripura (March 21, 2025):
In renewed agitation for the Roman script recognition of the Kokborok language, members of the Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF) staged a road blockade in the Hezamara Khowai Choumuhani area under Sidhai Police Station on Wednesday.
Protesters burned tyres on the road and chanted slogans demanding the Tripura state government recognize the Roman script as the official script for Kokborok, the indigenous language spoken by a large section of the tribal population in the state.
Agitation Causes Major Traffic Disruption
The protest caused a massive traffic snarl along the Agartala-Khowai National Highway, one of the key lifelines connecting Tripura’s capital with interior districts.
Due to the blockade:
- Hundreds of vehicles were stuck on both sides of the highway, including buses, passenger vehicles, and goods carriers.
- Commuters and travelers were left stranded for hours in the scorching heat.
- Emergency services also faced difficulty navigating the route.
TSF’s Continued Demand for Cultural Recognition
This is not the first time TSF has taken to the streets in support of their demand. The student body has long maintained that:
- Roman script is culturally and practically more suitable for Kokborok.
- The current use of Bengali script alienates native speakers, especially younger generations.
- Recognition of Roman script would empower indigenous identity and improve literacy rates among tribals.
A TSF spokesperson at the protest site said:
“We have been demanding the Roman script for years. The state government has ignored our peaceful appeals. Today’s blockade is a message — we will intensify our agitation unless our demand is met.”
State Response & Political Sensitivity
While no official statement has been issued by the Tripura state government yet, the issue of Kokborok script remains politically sensitive. Previous efforts to resolve the matter have failed due to differences between linguistic and cultural groups within the state.
Security forces were deployed to the site to monitor the situation and prevent any escalation.
The blockade was lifted after several hours, following discussions between protest leaders and local police authorities.
Background: The Kokborok Script Debate
The Kokborok language, spoken by the indigenous Tripuri people, currently lacks a universally accepted official script.
- While the Bengali script is officially used, many tribal groups and scholars argue for the Roman script.
- The issue has become a focal point of identity politics in Tripura, with demands surfacing during elections, educational policy reforms, and cultural debates.
Conclusion: More Protests Likely if Demands Not Addressed
With the TSF warning of larger state-wide demonstrations, this incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing cultural and linguistic aspirations of Tripura’s indigenous communities.
The state government is under pressure to open dialogue and find an inclusive solution before the issue sparks wider unrest.
Pradyot Kishore Deb Barman expressed his views in the Circuit House area of Agartala.
