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Garos and Eco-tourism

15 January 2004, 18:00 PM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
By M.A Rub, Human rights activist, Uttara Dhaka 1230
15 January 2004, 18:00 PM
Put human first. PHOTO: AFP
"The Garos must be treated better", the DS advocated in its first editorial on 6-1-2002 issue. We say Garos, who are one of the ethnic minority communities in Bangladesh, must be treated equally like majority population, as the government does not differentiate between the communities. It is an excellent idea but all minorities must be treated as equal citizens of the country, not in words but in deeds. The killings of Piren Slan--a Garo youngster and injuries to 25 others-- are not acceptable to us.

The Garos have inalienable rights to participate in their own development activities, but it seems that the project planning lacked participatory approach in its different phases of implementation. Obviously, the Garo voices must be heard with sympathy and deep respect. Importantly, pre-education on eco-tourism at their places should have been done much earlier to avoid dissension that finally led to the tragedy.

It is mandatory on the part of the government to probe the death of Piren Slan. The culprits must be brought to justice and the victims must get adequate compensation.

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Efforts must be made to integrate Garos into the process of development.