Independent body can end ownership disputes

Formation of an independent land commission for indigenous people of plain lands can end disputes regarding their land ownership, speakers told a press conference yesterday.
Jatiya Adivasi Parishad (JAP) organised the press conference over the issue in the capital's Dhaka Reporters Unity.
A JAP preliminary survey found that till date 3827.28 acres of land was taken away from 2,435 indigenous families in ten northern districts including Dinajpur, Naogaon, Bogra, Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj, said JAP President Rabindranath Soren.
Of the amount, grabbers used forged documents to take away 1,199.3 acres while the forest department acquired 1,185.76 acres, said Soren, adding that at least 38 different indigenous communities live in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions.
He urged the government to form the commission, as per its electoral pledge, immediately to save and return the lands.
He also demanded proper implementation of existing laws regarding the land ownership, stating that the laws were not put to use in most cases.
JAP would send a memorandum over the issue to the prime minister during the upcoming budget session, said Soren.
Though they have been talking about the issue over the years, little initiative has been taken to resolve it, said Gono Forum Convener Pankaj Bhattacharya.
Apart from forming an independent land commission for the indigenous people, their constitutional recognition is also required, said Workers' Party of Bangladesh General Secretary Anisur Rahman Mollik.