Tripura: TPSE exam concerns raise lack of indigenous leadership?

The Tripura Forest Service exam has created an uproar among the indigenous communities in Tripura because of a notification. In an advertisement issued by the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSE) for the forest, the exam had mentioned all the pre-requisites. However, one of the pre-requisites has irked the tribal people of the state.

In section B of the notification, stated "desirable in Bengali". The following statement misses out on the mention on Kokborok requirement. Kokborok is the main native language of the Borok (Tripura) people of the Indian state of Tripura and neighbouring areas of Bangladesh. The name comes from kok meaning "verbal" and borok meaning "human". Kokborok is closely related to the Boro, Dimasa and Kachari languages of the neighbouring state of Assam.

As such, the avoidance of one of the official state language in the notification has been raised by Pradyot Manikya, Chairman of The Indigenous progressive regional alliance - T.I.P.R.A, Head of the Royal house of Tripura. In a following tweet he expressed resentment over the lack of Kokborok representation facilitated by the Tripura government.

To take stock of the situation, Inside Northeast contacted Manikya. On the issue of why there a state language is not required for state-level exams, he replied, "its already an official language but if we don't point out, they lose track". He further mentioned the lack of political vacuum of the indigenous representation even "there are 20 tribal MLAs who support the state government" said Manikya.

Meanwhile

A political party known as TPF (Tripura People’s Front) staged a number of road blockades in seven separate areas of the state to make Pradyot Kishore Debbarman as the chief of the autonomous district council (ADC) council in order to suffice the public sentiment. However, Manikya has clearly denied any "political ambitions" to Inside Northeast.

Also read: TPF holds massive protests seeking Pradyot’s coronation in ADC draws flak

However, in terms of the local politics in Tripura, he said, that "national parties resort to lobbying and have their own agenda instead of appointing real leaders".

"Change the entire system because the current is only for the majority to rule over minority (not in terms of religion). We need to provide quality education instead and instead of leaders who act like stooges to their higher-ups", said Manikya.

Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.

To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.

Download:

The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.

Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.