On demand for Roman script kokborok, 20 students injured in rally

Agartala: Over 20 agitated students of Tipra Indigenous Students Federation (TISF), the student wing of Tipra Motha, were lathi-charged and beaten by policemen during a rally demanding a Roman script for Kokborok language in Agartala in the state. Injured after using water cannon.
Kokborok, the language of Tripura’s indigenous community, is spoken by about one-third of the state’s population.
The rally was organized demanding Roman script for Kokborok language which started from Vivekananda Maidan and staged a dharna in front of the Governor House. However, the security forces stopped the rally near Circuit House where the student wing had staged a demonstration.
Speaking about the matter, Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) executive member Runeil Debbarma told India Today NE that more than 12 students, including some female students, were injured during the peaceful rally of the Tipra Indigenous Students Federation.
“Today we held a peaceful rally demanding Roman script for Kokborok language. The rally started at 10 am and continued till 4 pm. But suddenly after 4 pm someone threw a beer bottle on the rally. hurled but later the police resorted to lathi charge, used tear gas and water cannons on the rally.
He also said that several student agitators were injured and alleged that the male police officers lathi-charged the female protesters.
More than 20 people are injured while 4 are in serious condition. He is now undergoing treatment at GB Pant Hospital. However, the police did not give us any warning,” said the Tipra Motha leader.

He further threatened to launch a civil disobedience protest in the state against the attack on the peaceful rally.