Agartala: Mar 21: In a democratic state, the right to protest is fundamental, but it must not come at the expense of public convenience. On Friday, the Tipra Students Federation (TSF) intensified their demand for the adoption of the Roman script for the Kokborok language by blocking key roads in Tripura’s capital, Agartala. This protest coincided with the commencement of the Tripura Legislative Assembly session.
The TSF, supported by regional parties and youth organizations, has been advocating for this demand for years. Following the Kokborok language examination on March 17, the TSF submitted a deputation to the Tripura Board of Secondary Education. Frustrated by the lack of action, they resorted to blocking the VIP Road and the main road leading to GB Hospital.
The blockade caused significant disruption. Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, en route to the Legislative Assembly, had to take an alternate route due to the road closures in Kunjoban. Ambulances faced delays reaching GB Hospital, forcing many patients to be redirected to IGM Hospital. Key roads, including those from Battala to Borjala Road, Post Office Chowmuhani, North Gate Road, IGM Chowmuhani, and Abhoynagar Road, were paralyzed for hours.
Air passengers missed flights, and government offices experienced delays of two to three hours. The widespread inconvenience drew criticism from the public, with many questioning the administration’s handling of the situation. Critics argued that the government’s inability to address the issue has emboldened such protests, which could have been resolved swiftly by the police.
The protest highlights the ongoing struggle for linguistic recognition and the broader challenges of balancing democratic rights with public welfare.
