'Recognise ethnic groups as indigenous people'
People belonging to small ethnic communities in different districts observed International Day of the World's Indigenous People with processions, discussions and cultural programmes, reiterating the demand for their constitutional recognition as 'indigenous people' and effective steps for ensuring their rights, especially on land.
In Bandarban, the people of different communities including the Marma, Chakma, Tripura, Tongchyanga, Khyang, Bawm, Mro, Lusai, Khumi and Chak celebrated the day with festivities and programmes, reports our Bandarban correspondent.
Colourfully dressed men, women and children holding posters, banners and placards took part at a procession in the hill town in the morning.
The indigenous people performed their traditional cultural programmes and rendered songs on the streets.
Addressing a large rally in the district town, speakers demanded the protection of constitutional rights of the indigenous people, solution to land dispute in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region, and full implementation of the CHT Peace Accord.
Dr Nur Mohammad Talukdar, president of Bangladesh College University Teachers Association, attended as chief guest at the programme presided over by U Cha Hla Prue Jimi, convener of International Adivasi Day Udjaponi Committee of the district.
Our Rangamati Correspondent reports: CHT chapter of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum organised a rally on the premises of Rangamati municipality office yesterday, reiterating the demand for full implementation of CHT accord and constitutional recognition as 'indigenous people'.
The leaders of different communities urged effective steps for resolution of land dispute in the hills.
Lawmaker Ushatan Talukdar inaugurated the rally as the chief guest while Prakriti Ranjan Chakma, president of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, CHT chapter, chaired the function.
Later, a colourful rally paraded main thoroughfares in the town.
Our Dinajpur Correspondent: A large number of indigenous people accompanied by Bangalis from all walks of life formed a human chain in front of Nawabganj Upazila Parishad in the district yesterday marking the International Day of the World' Indigenous People.
Speakers at the programme demanded immediate arrest and punishment of the alleged land grabber's men who killed Dudu Soren on August 2, and the criminal who raped an indigenous woman leader in Chapainawabganj district recently.
They also demanded implementation of 15-point demand including constitutional rights, security of indigenous people and separate land commission for the indigenous people living in the plain lands.
The indigenous people from different upazilas also held a rally at Dinajpur Lok Bhaban yesterday morning.
Marking the day, Thakurgaon district unit of Jatiya Adivasi Parishad and Eco-Social Development Organisation jointly brought out a colourful procession in the town, reports our Thakurgaon correspondent.
They also held a discussion at Thakurgaon Press Club auditorium with district unit President of Jatiya Adivasi Parishad Surjo Mormu in the chair.
The speakers demanded withdrawal of all false cases against the indigenous people and cancellation of all fake documents that were made to occupy land of indigenous people.
Our Mymensingh Correspondent adds: A celebration committee for International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples organized a human chain with the slogan “Bridging the Gap: Implementing the Rights of Indigenous People” in front of Mymensingh Press Club yesterday morning.
A large number of indigenous people belonging to Garo, Hajong, Cooch, Banai, Dalu, Khatriya, Hodi and Mandai communities from Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Tangail and Netrakona districts joined the programme, demanding steps to ensure their rights.
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