Agartala, February 15 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday urged the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parisad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS, to voice their opposition to the demand for the Roman script for the Kokborok language.
The CM's statement came a day after thousands of Kokborok-speaking students formed human chains across Tripura to press for the adoption of the Roman script for the language.
Kokborok, the second official language of Tripura, is the mother tongue of most of the 19 tribes in the state.
Addressing the first ABVP state tribal conference here, Saha said that only a few people have raised the demand for the Roman script for the language.
"There have been movements for the introduction of the Roman script for the Kokborok language. Those who are promoting this movement must try to develop an indigenous script for their mother tongue. If they fail, we will form a committee to select a suitable script," he said.
Saha alleged that those who have no issues are trying to confuse the indigenous people regarding the script.
"Our stand is clear: maintaining the status quo on the script for the Kokborok language until a suitable indigenous script is ready. But they are not willing to accept this," he said.
Urging ABVP leaders and workers to raise a strong voice against the demand for a "foreign" script for Kokborok, the CM said that the present government has been working to ensure the welfare of indigenous people.
"Around 40 per cent of the state's total budgetary outlay, after deducting non-plan expenditure, is being spent on the development of tribal areas. This shows the government's commitment to the welfare of indigenous people," he said.
Expressing concern over drug abuse among tribal youth, Saha asked the students' body to launch a strong campaign against the problem in all colleges.
"Though drug addiction is a common problem, the prevalence of drug addiction among tribal youth is relatively higher in the state, which is destroying generations. The ABVP must reach out to college students to address this problem," he said.