Adivasis tired of govt's inaction

Jyotirindria Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma, chairman of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghaty Samity (PCJSS), speaks at a press conference in the capital's Sundarbans Hotel yesterday, organised ahead of "International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples". photo: star

Adivasi leader Santu Larma yesterday said the indigenous people of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) were aggrieved and tired as the government had been only repeating its assurances about implementing the 1997 peace accord for years without actually acting on it.
Jyotirindria Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma, chairman of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghaty Samity (PCJSS), made these remarks at a press conference in the capital's Sundarbans Hotel, organised ahead of "International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples".
With the theme, "Indigenous peoples building alliances: Honouring treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements", the adivasi people are going to observe the day on August 9 amid grievance of deprivation.
Bangladesh Adivasi Parishad organised the press conference, which was moderated by Sanjeeb Drong, secretary general of the parishad.
The speakers demanded the constitutional recognition of all 54 indigenous communities and immediate implementation of the CHT peace accord and all other assurances the government has given to them.
IID executive director Numan Ahmed Khan, adivasi leaders Shaktipada Tripura, Rabindranath Soren, and Jagannath University teacher Rajib Mir attended the conference. Around 400 million indigenous people living in 90 countries have been observing the day every year since 1994.