AGARTALA, Nov 27 (TIWN): The BJP-IPFT Govt is trying to down the literacy rate in Tripura, alleged former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar while delivering his speech at SFI, TSU’s protest programme here in Agartala.

The protest was organized against the decision of the State Govt to shutdown 961 Govt schools in Tripura and to combine schools in each 5 km instead of 1 km in certain areas, mostly to affect rural, ADC areas.

Manik Sarkar mentioned when Tripura got total statehood in 1972 freeing the state from monarchy trend in exchange of huge struggles and protests, the literacy rate was only 31% whereas the literacy rate is now 97%. He condemned, state govt’s decision of scrapping school numbers accused it for aim to down the literacy rate.

Sarkar told the youths to keep this issue on top of their all issues because Education is the foundation of all voices.