Indigenous people demand land rights

Indigenous people bring out a procession in Chapainawabganj town yesterday to press for their five-point demand including establishment of rights on land.Photo: STAR

Thousands of indigenous people brought out a procession, held a rally and submitted a memorandum to the secretary of land ministry through the deputy commissioner to press home their five-point demand in town yesterday morning.
In the memo they urged the authorities not to lease out pondsides where indigenous people live and allot those places including the ponds permanently to the indigenous people. They also called for giving away pond banks and khas lands that are being used as cremation ground by them to the indigenous people and reexcavation of all khas ponds for ensuring pure drinking water.
The indigenous people of Chapainawabganj Sadar, Nachole and Gomostapur upazilas took part in the procession under the banners of different indigenous organisations including Adibasi Pargana Parishad, Dighori Parishad, Baisi Parishad, Lahanti Akhra Forum and Upazila Adibasi Samonnay Parishad.
The procession that started from Fire Service intersection, paraded the main streets of the town and terminated in front of Deputy Commissioner's office. The procession was followed by a rally there.
President of Nachole Upazila Adibasi Samonnya Parishad Hingu Murmu, president of Gomostapur Upazila Adibasi Samonay Parishad Corneleus Murmu, general secretary of Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila Adibasi Samonay Parishad Ruplal Murmu, general secretary of Gomostapur Upazila Baisi Parishad Shanker Roy and indigenous leader Babulal Toppo spoke at the rally.
Later they gave a memorandum to the secretary of the ministry of land through the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Chapainawabganj. Additional Deputy Commissioner (general) Sarwar Jahan received the memorandum on behalf of the DC.
The indigenous people alleged that local influential persons take lease of their lands and file false cases to harass them. Due to lack of awareness, the indigenous people are deprived of their land rights. They urged the government to ensure indigenous people's land rights without further delay.
In the memorandum they further said that the lesees often use chemicals and toxic materials in the ponds making the water unfit for use.