Agartala: The Twipura Students' Federation (TSF) in Tripura has intensified its protest, blocking the VIP road leading to the airport, Assembly, and High Court, as part of their indefinite statewide strike.

The TSF is demanding the adoption of the Roman script for Kokborok, one of the official languages of the state.

The protest coincides with the first day of Tripura's Budget Session, highlighting the decades-old demand of the tribal students' organization. TSF Vice President Jhon Debbarma emphasized that the organization is not against the Bengali language, but rather seeks the inclusion of the Roman script option to facilitate smooth examinations for students.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha acknowledged the issue, stating that discussions have taken place, but no concrete decision has been made. However, the TSF expressed dissatisfaction with the CM's response, seeking a more concrete solution.

The opposition has accused the BJP government of neglecting the legitimate demands of indigenous people. Veteran MLA Sudip Roy Barman criticized the government's lack of will to recognize the demands of the tribal communities.

Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma, leader of the TIPRA Motha party, drew comparisons with other Northeast states, highlighting the need for a clear decision on the script issue. Kokborok, the lingua franca of 19 tribal communities in Tripura, has a rich history but lacks an officially recognized indigenous script.