Create land commission for plain land Adivasis

Several student and rights organisations yesterday demanded that the government create a separate land commission for plain land indigenous people and make fully effective the one already there for the Adivasi communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

The organisations, mostly of indigenous communities, also demanded constitutional recognition of the minority people as "Adivasi".

The demands came from a human chain and a rally at the capital's Shahbagh.

Garo Student Union, Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, Tripura Student Forum, Bangladesh Orao Chhatra Sangathan, Marma Student Council, Santal Student Union, Khashi Student Union, Hill Women's Federation, Bangladesh Chhatra Federation, and Chanchia took part in the programmes, organised by Bangladesh Adivasi Chhatra Sangram Parishad. 

The speakers also called for observing International Day of the World's Indigenous People nationally, which is celebrated across the world on August 9 through special events.

Former president of Bangladesh Chhatra Moitri Bappaditya Basu said, "As a member of the United Nations, it's the duty of the state to observe the day, but Bangladesh's government does not do that; rather Adivasis are barred from celebrating the day."

President of Garo Student Union Salgira Mri urged the government to stop grabbing of indigenous people's land and their eviction from homes.

The speakers said the government had to protect the rights of all minorities including Adivasis so that they could also be involved with the development process.

Toni Mathew Chiran, acting general secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Chhatra Sangram Parishad, also spoke.