Int'l Day of Indigenous Peoples observed in dists
Indigenous people in different areas of the country observed International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples yesterday with demand for ensuring their constitutional recognition as well as political, economic, social and land rights.
Colourful processions, cultural programmes and discussions were held on the occasion.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. People joined different programmes in Bandarban district town yesterday demanding full execution of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, reports our Bandarban correspondent.
The speakers at a rally in the town urged the people from all walks of life to refrain from buying and selling all kinds of essentials in all seven upazilas of the district on August 19, announcing a dawn-to-dusk "Bazaar boycott" programme as part of a non-cooperation movement to press for the full implementation of the peace accord.
Chaired by KS Mong Marma, member of Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council, the rally was addressed, among others, by Joli Mong Marma, member of Bangladesh Adivashi Forum, Loyel David Bawm, U Kya Sa Prue Marma, and Donai Prue Neli.
Earlier, a colourful procession paraded the main roads of the district town.
People of different communities including Marma, Chakma, Tripura, Tongchyanga, Khyang, Bawm, Mro, Lusai, Khumi and Chak celebrated the day with festivities and programmes.
Our Khagrachhari correspondent reports: The district celebration committee of International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples organised a rally at Tong community centre of the district town.
Convener of the committee Rabi Sankar Talukdar presided over the programme while leader of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (MN Larma faction) Sudhakar Chakma was present as chief guest.
The speakers urged saving the indigenous people from torture and violence and ensuring their rights.
Earlier, hundreds of indigenous people brought out a colourful procession in the district town.
The day was also observed in Panchhari, Mahalchhari, Matiranga, and Dighinala upazilas of the district with rallies and processions.
Our Thakurgaon correspondent reports: International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples was celebrated in Thakurgaon town with the theme 'Post 2015 Agenda: Ensuring Indigenous Peoples' health and well-being'.
Thakurgaon district unit of Jatiya Adivashi Parishad, a platform of the indigenous people, and ESDO Premdip Project jointly organised the programmes.
In the afternoon, a colourful procession was brought out in the town.
Later, a discussion was held at the auditorium of Thakurgaon Press Club where lawmaker of Thakurgaon-3 constituency Yasin Ali attended as chief guest and district unit President of Jatiya Adivashi Parishad Sujo Mormu presided.
The speakers demanded realisation of their nine-point demands including establishing constitutional rights of the indigenous people and formation of a separate land commission to protect land rights of the indigenous people living on plain lands.
Our Tangail correspondent reports: Garo people in Madhupur upazila under the district wearing their eye catching traditional colourful dresses brought out a procession in Madhupur upazila headquarter in the morning to observe the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples yesterday.
They later took part in a cultural function, sports competition and a discussion on the premises of Corpus Christi High School at Jalchhatra.
The Garo artistes performed their traditional songs and dances at the cultural event with their traditional musical instruments.
Lawmaker from Tangail-1 (Madhupur-Dhanbari) Dr Abdur Razzaque attended and addressed the events as the chief guest.
With Joyenshahi Adivasi Unnayon Parishad president Eugene Nokrek in the chair, local indigenous people's leader William Dajel spoke at the discussion as the main speaker.
Our Mymensingh correspondent adds: A discussion and cultural programme was organised at Mymensingh Zila Shilpakala Academy auditorium marking the International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples.
The indigenous artistes from greater Mymensingh region performed at the cultural show with traditional musical instruments and wearing their traditional costumes.
Earlier, a colourful procession was brought out in the town.
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