Indigenous people demand separate ministry, JS seats

Indigenous women performing a dance at a cultural function organised as part of Aborigines Day programme. PHOTO: STAR

They have demanded constructional recognition of their language and enactment of appropriate laws to protect their traditional culture.

The demands were made at the gathering, held at Nachole Degree College playground on Friday in observance of Aborigines Day.

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The programme was jointly organised by Uttar Bangla Adivasi Lahanti Network and Adivasi Unnayon Sanghta (AUS).

A large number of indigenous people from northern districts joined different programmes there.

The days programme began with a big colorful procession. The processionists paraded different roads in Nachol town, chanting various slogans and carrying banners and fastoons highlighting their demands.

At the meeting, AUS Coordinator Rangit Saran read out a resolution containing the demands, which were approved by the indigenous people.

Adivasi Unnayon Sangshta President Bhagabat Tudu presided over the meeting.

Advocate Mical Saran was present as chief guest while advocate

Norandranath Tudu, Dr Degindronath and Babu Komla Minge were special guests.

The gathering was also addressed by, among others, Chapainawabganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mijanur Rahman; Prof Golam Mostofa of Nachol Degree College; Abdur Rauf, Executive Director of BMDO; Hasib Hossain , Executive Director of Proyas; Mansur Ali Executive Director of BDC and Akbarul Hassan Millat, Executive Committee Member of AUS.

Speaking on the occasion, leaders of indigenous people said they have a distinctive culture and heritage, but those are fading away due to lack of government patronisation and "aggressive" activities of local Bangalees.

Taking the advantage of illiteracy and poverty, lands of indigenous people are being grabbed by local Bangalees at many places.

The victims often can not take legal protection because of poverty. As they are minority, Bangalees often victimise them and even threaten them, the leaders said.

The indigenous people do not get justice as a section of officials in the local administration are influenced by influential Bangalees, they alleged.

Their rights are often violated. They also urged the government to enact appropriate laws to ensure their rights.

Addressing the gathering, Chapainawabgang UNO Mijanur Rahman said the government has taken up various development programme for aborigine people.

He called upon them to came forward and take part in government's development activities.

The day's programme concluded with a colorful cultural function.

Krisna Minge, Badergachi government primary school teacher conducted the programme.