Call to observe Santal Hul Day at state level

A 151-member National Committee has been formed to observe the day that marked the beginning of Santal revolution in different provinces of British ruled India in 1855.

Chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Shantu Larma has been made convenor and Prof Mesbah Kamal coordinator of the committee.

The committee held a press conference at the National Press Club yesterday to announce the programme of the day.

Speakers at the press conference urged the government to observe the day at state level and ensure the rights of indigenous people to land and forest.

"Since the independence the Santal people did not get their minimum rights from the state," said Prof Mesbah Kamal in a statement.

"No less than three million people of Santal community are living in the northern part of the country. These indigenous people took part in the liberation war to make the country free from Pakistani occupation.

But now they are mostly deprived community in the country," he added.

During the daylong programme, several speakers would talk about the problems and plights of the Santal community living in the northern part of the country.

They will also talk about the glorious Santal movement popularly known as Santal Hul.

Lone lawmaker from the indigenous community Promod Mankin, Artist Hashem Khan, Rupayan Dewan, member of Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council, Numan Ahmed Khan, Bhagbat Tudu and Kerina Hasada were present at the press conference.