Recognise rights of indigenous people

Indigenous people parade streets of Khagrachhari hill town, right, perform traditional dances on Dinajpur Lokbhaban premises marking the International Day of the World's Indigenous People yesterday. Similar programmes were held in several other districts.Photo: STAR

The indigenous people have demanded constitutional recognition of their identities, languages and cultures and formation of a separate land commission for the indigenous people living on plain lands.
They also demanded that the government ensure their right to land and take necessary steps to save their ancestral land and homesteads from grabbers. The demands came from rallies held in different districts across the country, marking the International Day of the World's Indigenous People yesterday.
In Rangamati, the day was observed with various programmes including rally and colourful procession. Addressing a rally on the premises of Rangamat Municipality office, the speakers demanded constitutional recognition of the indigenous people and their right to land.
They alleged that the Awami League-led grand alliance government is yet to take any effective measure to implement the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord although one and a half years have elapsed since it came to power, according to our correspondent.
They demanded immediate announcement of a timeline for implementing the peace accord, which Awami League pledged in its election manifesto. Peace in hills is not possible without full implementation of the peace accord, they added.
The speakers urged the government to introduce an education system in adivasi languages so that the children of the indigenous communities can receive primary education in their respective mother languages.
The rally was addressed, among others, by former chairman of Rangamati Hill District Council Dr Manik Lal Dewan, Sadar Upazila Parishad Vice-Chairman Minoti Chakma, and Santal leader Monu Murma.
Earlier, the indigenous people brought out a colourful procession in the town and paraded the main streets.
Our Khagrachhari correspondent reported that a rally was held on the premises of Khagrachhari Government College at noon in observance of the day.
Chaired by Parbatya Chattgram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) leader Amar Singh Chakma, PCJSS Law Affairs Secretary advocate Shaktiman Chakma, Tatindra Lal Chakma, Pahari Chhatra Parishad leaders Cranching Marma, Taposh Marma and Kristy Chakma addressed the rally.
The speakers demanded full implementation of CHT Peace Accord and immediate settlement of land disputes in the three hill districts.
They also demanded constitutional recognition of the indigenous people and formation of a separate land commission for the indigenous people living on plain lands.
In Chapainawabganj, the indigenous people marked the day with colourful procession and cultural programmes.
At the rally at Shahid Satu Hall in the town, the speakers demanded constitutional recognition of the indigenous people, and their right to land, reports our correspondent.
They urged the government to protect their lands from the grip of the land grabbers and form a separate land commission for the indigenous people living on plain lands. They later submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner.
After the rally, the indigenous people took out a colourful procession from Fire Service intersection paraded different streets in the district town.
Our Mymensingh, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur and Netrakona correspondents also sent reports on similar programmes, marking the day.