East Twipra

26/10/2024

The Twipra Students' Federation or TSF, formerly known as the Tribal Students' Federation, has been playing a pivotal role in Tripura’s tribal politics and also in the socio-political landscape for the past 56 years. Founded on October 25-26, 1968, at the Guru Charan School Playground near Champaknagar, TSF began with only over 200 delegates and has since evolved into a significant force in Tripura's socio-political movement. As TSF marks its 56th Foundation Day, it commemorates a long-standing struggle of the Tiprasa people for their rights, identity, language, and autonomy.

TSF was born in response to the demographic and political shifts in Tripura, particularly after the influx of Bengali refugees during the Partition of India and the riots that followed till 1956. This demographic change resulted in the indigenous population, who once formed the majority, becoming a minority in their own homeland, and which resulted in the preference of Bengali over Kokborok in 1964 for the state's official language, which the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War only made it worse, as another wave of Bengali refugees came pouring in. The Federation was established to preserve the cultural, linguistic, and political rights of Tiprasa people. Initially focused on student-related issues, TSF's mandate has grown significantly over the years.

Its most notable achievements include i) Formation of TTAADC. ii) Recognition of Kokborok as Tripura official language. iii) Introduction of Kokborok as a subject in schools, colleges, and Universities. iv) Awareness and Revival of Tiprasa culture through awareness in the Tiprasa population by which traditional attire was popularized again. v) Movement for education which led to the establishment of Government Degree Colleges within the TTAADC area, coaching centers, ST Hostels, and Madhyamik Centres, vi) Securing the state's defined roster point on reservation in Engineering and Medical institutes like NIT-A and AGMC. vii) The TPSC recruitment of Kokborok Assistant Professors for the first time in degree colleges.

Some recent popular movements led by the TSF include: the Roman Script for Kokborok movement, where TSF was one of the first organizations to raise this demand and has consistently maintained its position, actively participating in all major movements related to it. The movement of securing the defined roster point for reservations in educational institutions as well as in job sectors. Movement for opposing the renaming of Ujjayanta Palace to Tripura State Museum, Movement for Atrocities against Tribal especially against Tribal students, movement against underrepresentation of Kokborok, movement against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and later Citizenship (Amendment) Act, where in protest six students were tragically shot by the Tripura States Rifle. These are some of the notable movements where TSF has been a part of and played an important role in recent times.

TSF’s journey has not been without its challenges. The organization has been accused of fostering ethnic tensions between tribal and non-tribal communities, particularly in its demand for greater political autonomy. Additionally, allegations of links to militant groups have marred TSF’s reputation in the past, though these claims were consistently denied by the Federation. Its members were subjected to numerous manhunts, false accusations, and police torture, especially during the 2000s.

Political polarization has also been a source of controversy, as TSF’s leadership has often been accused of aligning with specific political parties or factions. However, the organization has maintained its status as a non-political, non-religious, independent student organization and remains focused solely on the welfare of the indigenous population.

TSF’s influence on Tripura's polity is undeniable. Over the years, the organization has produced several prominent leaders who have played key roles in the state's governance. All of today’s tribal ministers and many tall tribal leaders began their political careers as members of TSF, highlighting the Federation’s enduring impact on the political landscape of Tripura.

TSF’s advocacy for tribal rights, tribal identity, educational reforms, and political autonomy has contributed to significant socio-political developments in the state. As an organization, it has consistently fought to ensure that the indigenous voice is heard, especially in matters of governance and policy-making.

As TSF celebrates its 56th Foundation Day, it stands as a testament to the resilience of the indigenous people of Tripura. The Twipra Students' Federation (TSF) is now part of a larger conglomeration of North East Indian student organizations known as NESO, or the North East Students' Organization, which is a coalition of eight student organizations from the region.

Despite the criticisms it has faced, TSF remains a vital institution for Tripura’s indigenous youths. Its legacy over the past 56 years is a source of pride for the Tiprasa people, and its future role in shaping Tripura’s political discourse and its strong stance in promoting tribal identity will be essential as it strives to move forward.

17/10/2024

17/10/2024

Over the years, police brutality, especially towards marginalized groups around the globe has become an unsurprisingly regular phenomenon, United States BLM movement is a perfect example of it. The recent incident in Tripura, where a Tiprasa man named Badal Tripura died after being severely beaten while in custody at the Manu Bazar Police Station, is a harsh reminder of the systemic discrimination and marginalization that continues in a racially divisive state like Tripura. His death, following brutal assaults by police officers, strikingly reminds of the chilling narrative of the film Jai Bhim. The film also portrays police brutality against marginalized communities who, due to their economic and social status, even after the police had murdered an innocent man, are unable to fight back against the authorities, but a selfless lawyer steps in to bring justice to the victims. In the case of Badal Tripura, four accused officers namely Sub-Inspector Premjit Roy, SPO Shyamal Das, SPO Thailasa Mog, and SPO Rengo Mog have been suspended till now in connection with the case but this was also only possible after an angry mob surrounded the police station with Badal Tripura's lifeless body and demanded justice for his murder. But should it stop just there?

Badal’s death from the injuries sustained in police custody has shocked the people of Tripura. Yet, prior to his passing, the news of the brutal assault on him failed to draw widespread attention. When he eventually succumbed to his injuries, only then did it spark outrage, raising natural and unsettling questions: Is there a communal angle to this tragedy? After all, Badal was a poor Tiprasa, and the accused is a Bengali Sub-Inspector, Premjit Roy. Was Badal truly arrested for allegedly stealing rubber scraps?, or Was he falsely framed? And even if he was arrested for allegedly stealing was brutally beating him at the night in the custody justifiable? And if he was not to die from him injuries, would the people have stood for him and raised up questions about custodial torture? May be these questions are very hard to answer. But what is easy to answer is that even if this is very disturbing tragedy for Tiprasas, this wouldn't make it to Bengali news channels and national news channels as intended to be, who in this sort of tragedy would have made it their main headlines, but neither Tripura matters and neither do Tiprasas.

For people to get triggered by this incident is very much predictable, people's anger on Police and the system which has failed to serve them is predictable, as this isn’t the first instance, nor will it be the last. Just two years ago, an incident involving two Tiprasa students being assaulted by traffic police caused a public uproar. Although no lives were lost in that incident, the fury against the authorities was palpable. Now, with clear evidence of custodial murder in Badal Tripura’s case, the stakes are much higher. Instead of just temporary suspension from their duty they should also be prosecuted for murder and discrimination against a person of a marginalized community. But even in an unfortunate tragedy like these some are silent and some can't get enough of doing politics over these also.

What comes next? Will justice be served, or will this be another case that fades from the public eye after temporary suspensions? In any form Custodial Murder can never be justifiable, the accused officers should be accountable for the harshes punishment according to the law. But for now, all we can do is wait and see if justice would truly prevail.

10/10/2024

To know how much value the Indigenous Language, Culture and People of Tripura are given in their own State, can be clearly observed by the recent stance of Tripura Police's PR Team, which chose to leave out Kokborok in their recent post.

Durga Puja starts today (dated 9 October 2024), and while the entire state has been preparing for weeks for this festival, just a day before, the Tripura Police's PR team decided to wish the public on this auspicious occasion and urged them to be vigilant about suspicious activities during the celebration, which is a great move by the PR team by the way, as it helps them to connect with the public and gain their trust. So, they decided to not only wish the public of Tripura in English, as per standard norms, but also in the state's official languages, which apparently happens to be Bengali and Kokborok. So far, so good, that's what I thought. And they did wish in Bengali and in Kok... Where is the wish in Kokborok? I asked. Oh, maybe they forgot, or maybe they couldn’t upload it. "Don't worry, it shall appear in no time," I reassured myself.

A day passed by, Durga Puja is already here—how come there is no wish in Kokborok, still? My curiosity grew. I told myself, "Last time I checked, Kokborok was still an official language of Tripura." Then I thought, "Maybe the Tripura Police's PR Team don’t know that Tiprasas also celebrate Durga Puja, and they call it Osa Mwtai, that's why they didn’t care to wish the Tiprasas in Kokborok. Or maybe none of them knows Kokborok, or they don't have any officers who can speak and write in Kokborok. Or perhaps they thought only English and Bengali were the official languages of Tripura. The reasons might be many, but I don’t think the Tripura Police's PR Team wanted to offend the Indigenous people of Tripura by not representing their language. It's not like they don’t care about Tiprasas, right? Or do they?”

For some, this might just seem like a small act of ignorance and negligence, as Tiprasas have faced misrepresentation, underrepresentation, and negligence for many decades. However, this kind of neglect of Indigenous language and culture should never be normalized. Such acts and audacity should be met with strong objection, or else they will only grow rather than diminish.

In this digital age, where every action is noticed, the undermining of Kokborok and the lack of interest in representing it, even in something as simple as wishing the Tiprasa public in Kokborok, is a violation of the State Official Language Act, 1979. If Bengali is represented, then Kokborok should also have the same stature and level of representation—no less, no more. The speakers of the language should also remain vigilant against such acts, as underrepresentation is also a form of systemic oppression and discrimination.

Opinion by Abel Debbarma

06/10/2024

Racial slurs and assaults on Northeastern people outside the North East region, in big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad, are unfortunately not new. In these places, Northeastern people are often judged by their appearances. However, in a state like Tripura, where 70% of the population is Bengali and the remaining 30% are predominantly tribals, the same issues of racism and discrimination also persist. The October 4 incident, where an indigenous Traffic police officer was verbally assaulted with racial slurs, often keeps happening in Tripura.

What was different this time is that, it was caught on camera, which made people's angry reactions pretty much inevitable. Following the release of the video on social media, widespread anger erupted within the Indigenous Tribal communities. Civil society groups, student organizations, political parties, and public figures swiftly condemned the act and demanded the arrest of the culprits. One of the assaulters, identified as Dip Datta (23), was arrested on October 5 and booked under The Schedules Castes & The Schedules Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, the remaining perpetrators are also expected to face consequences. But now, What’s next?

The racial and communal divisions in Tripura are not new. The state has witnessed similar and even worse instances of tension. Discrimination against the tribal community is woven into the fabric of governance and, more disturbingly, ingrained in the mindset of many citizens, from both side regardless of their community.

While the specific words used during the racial slur may not matter, their derogatory and hateful nature is what is important. Though the slur mentioned the surname "Debbarma," it was clearly aimed at the larger indigenous and tribal communities. This incident has once again reminded the people of Tripura that society remains deeply divided along racial lines, with individuals being judged by their looks, dress, and culture. For many tribals in Tripura, the experience of racism is a daily, uncountable struggle.

Over the years, Tiprasa students protesting for their rights, such as the right to choose a script for their language, have been labeled as "terrorists (Ugrawadi)." Those living in the hills are frequently stereotyped as "uncivilized," "backward," or "jungle people," often by the Bengali population. These stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes fuel incidents like the one on October 4. This is not the first time, nor will it be the last, where indigenous Tiprasas are subjected to verbal and physical assaults simply because of their appearance. Even high-ranking Tiprasa police officers, doctors, government officials, politicians, and engineers are not immune to this discrimination.

Such incidents lay the groundwork for larger ethnic tensions, like of the 1980 Riots in the state. Advocates of communal harmony in Tripura often discourage discussions about racial or communal tensions, arguing that doing so may disrupt the fragile (imaginary) peace. However, these communal tensions are far from imaginary, as incidents like this debunk any notions of communal harmony.

If real efforts to restore communal harmony and build trust among communities are not made, a similar scenario like that of Manipur state is an inevitable future of Tripura.

Opinion by Abel Debbarma

20/09/2024

A yearly phenomenon for ST students of Tripura, year over year ST students of Tripura face the issue with the disbursement of their Post Matric Scholarship, a Centrally sponsored scheme for the underprivileged tribal students, unfortunately, the negligence and discrimination they face in this process are not new.

Students frustrated over delayed Scholarship, have taken to social media to express their concerns, with some even staging protests outside the Tribal Welfare Department. As for many, the scholarship represents a vital financial resource to cover tuition fees, books, and living expenses. Though the Tribal Welfare Department had recommended all the educational institutions to not charge any extra or late fees in this due time, but many are still not satisfied with this measures.

Students have criticized the slow bureaucratic process, questioning why funds, which were sanctioned and allocated weeks earlier, have yet to be fully disbursed. According to a memorandum from the Tribal Welfare Department, 35,665 applications have been successfully verified, and 21,272 students have already received their scholarships. However, for the remaining 14,392 students, the department had requested an additional ₹50 crore from the central government. Although these funds were eventually allocated and referred to the Directorate of Tribal Welfare's Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) on September 12, they have yet to reach the students' accounts. So, this latest frustration is not coming from unavailability of funds but from the sluggishness of the bureaucratic disbursement process.

The Tribal Welfare Department has responded, stating that the remaining balance will be cleared by October. However, with classes already underway and financial pressures mounting, students are urging the government to ensure the funds are released without further delays. Many hope that these recurring issues will be resolved promptly to prevent such disruptions in the future.

But students continue to await their dues, hoping that the promised financial relief will soon become a reality.

By Emi Jamatia, East Twipra Columnist

14/09/2024

On 12 September, the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC) announced the results for the TCS/TPS Grade II Examination. A total of 40 candidates successfully passed the exam (30 for TCS and 10 for TPS) and are now set to become Grade II officers. Among the 30 TCS candidates, 15 (including 1 PH candidate) were selected in the Unreserved category, 8 (including 1 PH candidate) were selected in the SC category, while only 7 candidates were selected from the ST category. For the 10 TPS candidates, 7 were selected in the Unreserved category, 1 in the SC category, and 2 candidates were selected from the ST category. The selected candidates have been recommended for recruitment under the Department of General Affairs (P&T), Government of Tripura.

However, questions have been raised regarding whether the 100-point roster system was properly applied during the recruitment process, in accordance with Tripura’s reservation regulations, which mandate 31% reservation for STs and 17% for SCs. In the recruitment for TCS and TPS Grade II posts, it appears that the roster system may not have been followed. Specifically, in the case of TCS Grade II, out of the 30 available posts, 31% (or 9 positions) should have been reserved for ST candidates, but only 7 were selected. Similarly, for TPS, only 2 ST candidates were selected out of 10, when there should have been 3 if the 100-point roster had been applied correctly.

The only way to deviate from the 100-point roster is by obtaining clearance from the Tribal Welfare Department, but no such notification was ever released. If clarification is sought from TPSC, their likely response would be that there were not enough ST candidates. However, even if there were insufficient ST candidates, the reserved seats should have been left vacant.

This issue warrants proper investigation, and any deviation from the rules should be addressed with valid clarification.

14/09/2024

The Directorate of Kokborok & Other Minority Languages has announced an open call for research proposals. Eligible researchers and scholars residing in Tripura who hold a Master’s degree in any discipline are invited to submit proposals for Minor Research Projects (MRP). The program offers an opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary studies related to language, literature, art, culture, or any allied field connected to Kokborok and the state's seven minority languages.

The Directorate is offering financial assistance of up to ₹1 lakh for each approved research project. The MRPs are designed to be completed within a one-year timeframe.

Proposals will be accepted in person at the Directorate of Kokborok & Other Minority Languages office, located on the ground floor of Shiksha Bhavan in Agartala, or via email at [email protected]. All submissions must follow the prescribed format, which can be found on the Directorate's official website: (https://kokborokoml.tripura.gov.in).

The deadline for submitting proposals is November 8, 2024. For more information, including application guidelines and formats, interested candidates are encouraged to visit the Directorate's website or contact the office during working hours.

Whether you’re interested in preserving cultural heritage, diving into linguistic studies, or exploring art and traditions, this could be your next big project!

(Tag someone who would love this opportunity, or share it in your stories to spread the word! 👇)

12/09/2024

A viral image circulating in Tripura has sparked fears of an Mpox (monkeypox) case. However, the Health Department has clarified that the patient in question suffered from Varicella Zoster (chickenpox), not Mpox. The patient, a diabetic, was initially admitted to Bishalgarh Hospital with fever and rashes and was later transferred to IGM Hospital. Despite medical intervention, the patient sadly passed away on September 11.

Authorities urge the public to avoid spreading misinformation. No Mpox case has been confirmed in Tripura. Stay informed, stay safe. 🛑

Source: Health & Family Welfare Dept, Tripura

05/09/2024

On June 27, 2024, Google announced a significant update to its translation services, announcing to add 110 new languages to Google Translate, including Kokborok. The addition has finally surfaced on the site. This inclusion marks a monumental step forward in the recognition and preservation of indigenous languages, providing a platform for Kokborok speakers to communicate and share their language with the world.

Kokborok, spoken by the indigenous Tripuri people in the northeastern Indian state of Tripura, has faced challenges in its preservation and promotion. Despite being an official language of Tripura, Kokborok has struggled with limited resources for language development, particularly in the digital space. The addition of Kokborok to Google Translate, especially in its Roman script form, is a significant acknowledgment of its importance and a step towards greater digital inclusion for its speakers.

The Roman script, despite being widely used among the Kokborok-speaking community, it has yet to receive official government recognition in the state. However, this recent development is likely to strengthen the efforts of those advocating for Roman script for Kokborok. It not only facilitates easier communication for Kokborok speakers but also creates new opportunities for education, tourism, and cultural exchange with the world.

With Kokborok now available on Google Translate, speakers of the language can easily translate text to and from other languages, breaking down language barriers that have historically limited their interaction with non-Kokborok speakers. This inclusion is particularly important for younger generations who are more inclined to use digital tools for learning and communication.

However, the addition has also come with a drawback, as users have reported inaccuracies in the translations. Some believe these issues could be resolved with future improvements.
Koktwma by Abel Debbarma, Editor East Twipra

18/08/2024

The world of regional cinema in India is a vibrant tapestry of cultures, languages, and narratives, each adding a unique color to the country's cinematic landscape. Within this tapestry, Kokborok and Tiwa films represent two distinct linguistic communities from the northeastern region, each with its own history and trajectory in filmmaking. However, a closer look reveals a stark contrast in their development and recognition on the national stage. Despite Kokborok films having an earlier start and a larger population base, Tiwa films have recently garnered more significant acclaim, as evidenced by their repeated success at the National Film Awards. (This proves that an early start and a larger population base do not necessarily determine the recognition of any form of art)

The 70th National Film Awards for 2022 highlighted the rising prominence of Tiwa cinema. Tiwa films bagged multiple awards, including the Best Tiwa Film in the Category of Best Feature Film in the languages other than those specified in Schedule VIII of the Constitution for "SIKAISAL (If Only Trees Could Talk)," directed by Dr. Bobby Sarma Baruah, and two special mentions for non-feature films. This success is not a solo incident, the previous year, Tiwa cinema was also recognized with the Best Anthropological Film award for "Fire on Edge" where was directed by Sujit Debbarma and Pranab Jyoti Deka.

In contrast, Kokborok cinema's last significant recognition at the National Film Awards was for "YARWNG (Roots)" directed by Fr. Joseph Pulinthanath Under the banner of Don Bosco Sampari Pictures, which won the Best Kokborok Film in the same category as of "SIKAISAL". Before that, *Mathia (The Bangle)* (2003), another film by Fr. Joseph Pulinthanath, also received immense recognition both nationally and internationally. However, Kokborok films have struggled to maintain this momentum in the years that followed.

Kokborok Films after 'MATHIA' and 'YARWNG' shifted their focus more toward commercial aspects rather than artistic ones. This led to the inclusion of over-the-top comedy and action scenes, eventually contributing to the decline of Kokborok cinema. Another factor is the lack of interest among Kokborok speakers in watching Kokborok films. While some films are watched and loved, this is often due to their slapstick comedy rather than their overall quality and aesthetic. Many Kokborok speakers are not even aware of the films being made and released, which has demotivated filmmakers from continuing to produce or make feature films. Those who wish to create quality films often lack financial support. Despite these challenges, there are many talented upcoming filmmakers among the Kokborok speakers, including Jacob Tripura, Plato Debbarma, Sujit Debbarma, and Dr. Sunil Kalai, who have proven themselves in recent years by winning awards at various film festivals.

Currently, the only genre of Kokborok films that has managed to thrive is short comedy sketches, often labeled as 'short films.' These sketches garner millions of views on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. But In the realm of well-made feature films, Kokborok cinema has only seen a decline in quality. This raises the question: What Can Kokborok Films Learn from Tiwa Cinema?

1. Strong Narratives Rooted in Culture and Identity:
Tiwa films like "Sikaisal" have excelled by telling stories deeply rooted in their culture, history, and social issues. The narratives are not only engaging but also resonate with universal themes that transcend regional boundaries. Kokborok films can benefit from a similar approach by exploring stories that are authentic to the Tipra way of life, yet relatable to a broader audience.

2. Collaboration and Cross-Cultural Exchange:
Tiwa filmmakers have often collaborated with talents from other communities, which has enriched their films with diverse perspectives. For example, the success of "Fire on Edge" was partly due to the collaboration between Sujit Debbarma and Pranab Jyoti Deka. Kokborok cinema could explore more such collaborations, bringing in fresh ideas and technical expertise that can enhance the quality of filmmaking.

3. Investment in Technical Excellence:
The technical quality of Tiwa films, including cinematography, editing, and sound design, has seen considerable improvement, which has played a role in their national recognition. Kokborok filmmakers need to focus on upgrading their technical skills and production quality, ensuring that their films meet the high standards required for broader recognition.

4. Embracing Short Films and Documentaries:
Tiwa filmmakers have not confined themselves to feature films but have also made significant strides in short films and documentaries. These formats allow for creative experimentation and the exploration of diverse topics. Kokborok filmmakers should consider expanding their focus beyond feature films, using short films and documentaries as platforms to tell impactful stories.

5. Consistent Participation in Film Festivals:
Regular participation in regional, national, and international film festivals has helped Tiwa films gain visibility and recognition. It also provides valuable feedback and exposure to new trends and standards in filmmaking. Kokborok films could benefit from more active participation in such festivals, which would not only increase their visibility but also provide opportunities for networking and learning.

In conclusion, Kokborok cinema has yet to fully realize its potential on the national stage. The success of Tiwa films offers valuable lessons in cultural authenticity, technical excellence, and strategic collaboration. By embracing these lessons, Kokborok filmmakers can rejuvenate their cinema, creating films that not only resonate with their own community but also earn appreciation and accolades on a broader scale.
Kokbwkhal by Abel Debbarma,