Rights activists want scrapping of decision
The government should scrap its declaration to consider over 9,100 acres of lands as reserved forest in Madhupur upazila of Tangail because it will result in eviction of the ethnic minority people of the area, said rights activists yesterday.
Around 15,000 people of ethnic minority communities will be evicted from their ancestral lands, if the government acquires the land, they said at a press conference in the capital's Dhaka Reporters Unity.
The environment and forests ministry on February 15 issued a circular announcing the area as a reserved forest. The circular also said that all claims regarding ownership of the lands in the area have been disposed in legal way.
"Why such a vast area has been declared a reserve forest without having any dialogue with the local people," asked rights activist Harendranath Sing while reading out a written statement.
The ethnic minority people will protect their lands at the cost of their lives, if necessary, he said.
In its electoral manifesto, the government pledged to protect land, cultural and traditional rights of people of all communities, so they should scrap its decision, he added.
Eminent columnist Syed Abul Maksud said the government's decision will violate people's constitutional rights because they will be evicted from their lands.
The ethnic minority people can be evicted when they are provided with lands in other areas, he said.
Maksud also demanded taking effective steps to evict those who have constructed recreational or picnic spots, resorts and other establishments destroying forests.
Veteran left politician Pankaj Bhattacharya said some bureaucrats initiate such projects, which is against public interest, for committing corruption and amassing money.
“As the countrymen are panicked because of militancy and terrorism, the ethnic minority people are also distressed due to the fear of eviction,” he said.
The government should publish a white paper on corruption and irregularities of influential people regarding forest resources, Pankaj emphasised.
Bangladesh Adivasi Forum General Secretary Sanjeeb Drong said ethnic minority people are the victims of different sorts of discrimination and deprivation and it is the state's responsibility to protect and ensure their equal rights.
Jatiya Adivasi Parishad president Rabindranath Soren said many are being compelled to leave the country due to such evictions and other sorts of repression and injustice.
Human Rights Defenders' Forum and rights activists under the banner of citizen delegation jointly organised the press conference, while Institute or Environment and Development (IED) and Kapeng Foundation assisted them.
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