Separate land body for indigenous people demanded

Jatiya Adivasi Parishad yesterday reiterated its demand for a separate land commission for the indigenous people.

The demand came at a rally in the capital's Shahbagh, marking the Parishad's three decades.

The speakers said that before the previous national election, the Awami League government promised that if the AL went to power, they would meet their demands, but to no avail.

They urged the government to meet the demand immediately; otherwise, they will wage a tougher programme, they said.

The indigenous communities of the country's plain land and hilly areas have long demanded their constitutional recognition as "Adivasi".

Their other demands include a five percent quota in jobs and higher education and implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord.