Aborigines vow to protect land, traditional culture

Indigenous people brought out colourful processions in Khagrachhari (Top) and Rangamati yesterday in observance of International Indigenous Day. PHOTO: STAR

Our Rangamati Correspondent reports: Eleven indigenous communities observed the day through a discussion and a colourful procession.

The discussion was held under the aegis of Rangamati Adibashi Dibas Udjapan Committee at the Shilpakala Academy auditorium.

CHT Headman Association president Binoy Kumar Dewan formally opened the discussion while committee convener Sukumar Dewan presided.

Speakers called upon the indigenous people to get united to establish their rights. They demanded proper implementation of the historic peace accord. They vehemently criticised the government for 'insincerity' to implement the accord. They also criticised an official instruction which termed the indigenous people as 'tribal' instead of indigenous.

Among others, social worker Nirmaledu Tripura, Parbatya Chattagram Jano Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) secretary Satyabir Dewan, feminist leader Arati Chakma, Gurkha Unnayan Sangstha president Dilip Bahadur Roy and Mrinal Kanti Talukder and Sajib Chakma addressed.

The procession started from the Pourasabha office and terminated at the Shilpakola Academy. Indigenous people from remote rural areas took part in the procession.

Our Staff Correspondent from Rajshahi reports: National Aborigine Council (NAC) yesterday staged a demonstration in the city to press home its 9-point demand.

The demand includes formation of a separate land commission for aborigine people to ensure their right in protecting own land.

A human chain was formed at Shaheb Bazar zero point where aborigines from different upazilas took part. Representatives from other socio-cultural organisations and NGOs joined them.

Later, a meting was held which was presided by Rajshahi district unit president of NAC Bimal Chandra Rajwar.

Speakers said, the aborigines are demonstrating on the streets to protect their rights as well as their existence at a time when aborigines in other countries are observing the International Indigenous Day with festivities.

They said, lands of aborigines in the northern districts are being grabbed and they are being evicted from their homesteads by local influentials and political leaders.

Among others, NAC central president Anil Marandi, its members Rabindranath Hembram, Alekzandar Saren, Workers Party district president Rafikul Islam Piarul, Rajshahi Rakkha Sangram Parishad Conveynor Zamat Khan and NGO officials Debashish Pramanik Debu and Ganesh Majhi addressed.

Our Khagrachhari Corres-pondent reports: A colourful procession was brought out from Cheghi Square in the morning under the banner of Zilla Nagorik Committee.

This was followed by discussion at Mukta Mancha which was presided by Hangsadaz Chakma.

.Among others, Nagorik Committee secretary Suntushita Chakma, Law Affairs Secretary Advocate Supal Chakma and educationalist Navin Kumar Tripura addressed.

Meanwhile, the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) created a half-day road barricade in the town demanding release of those who were arrested by the security forces.

Our Mymensingh Corres-pondent reports: A discussion was held at GBC College Hostel at Kanchjuly here to mark the day. The meeting was organised by the Committee for Observance of Indigenous Day and Indigenous Decade. Shimion Mrinal Kanti Sangma delivered the welcome address.

Earlier, a colourful procession led by Brother Geum Taije was brought out in the town.