Agartala: Dec 20: A newly formed joint platform, United Movement for Roman Script, comprising the Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF) and Tiprasa Indigenous Students’ Federation (TISF), has announced a protest on January 8, demanding the adoption of the Roman script for Kokborok.
At a press briefing, the body said the movement is not limited to any single organisation but represents the collective rights of the entire Tiprasa community. Leaders stressed that the demand for the Roman script is meant for society at large, especially students, and not for individual or political gain.
The organisations said that years of protests have failed to yield results, forcing them to intensify their agitation. January 8 will be observed as Black Day, commemorating the incident during the CAB movement when TSF members were allegedly fired upon by TSR personnel.
TSF leader John Debbarma said the movement will continue until the demand is fulfilled and announced plans to meet the CBSE Chairman to formally raise the issue. “The protest will not stop until our goal is achieved,” he said, calling for mass support.
TISF President Sajra Debbarma also appealed for participation, recalling the firing incident at Dashram, where student activists were shot. He said the day would be marked alongside the Roman script protest.
Criticising the Chief Minister’s reported remarks opposing the Roman script, Sajra Debbarma claimed that the overwhelming majority of Tiprasa want Kokborok in Roman script, adding that the Homchang rally on December 18 reflected public sentiment. He argued that script choice should rest with the Tiprasa people themselves.
The leaders asserted that if 99 percent of Tiprasa students prefer the Roman script, their demand should be respected, as youth represent the future. They also issued a call for a social boycott of those allegedly supporting other scripts while, according to them, ignoring the aspirations of the majority.
