Int'l Indigenous Peoples' Day Observed in Dists
'Ensure indigenous people's social, constitutional rights'
A colourful rally in Rangamati town marking International Day of the World's Indigenous People yesterday.Photo: Focus Bangla
Speakers at discussions on International Day of the World's Indigenous People yesterday demanded constitutional recognition of the indigenous people and ensuring their rights as citizens of the country. Adibasi Students Association of Rajshahi University (ASARU) yesterday brought out a colourful procession on the campus on the occasion of World Indigenous Peoples Day observed with the theme 'Indigenous People's Economic and Social Rights', reports our RU correspondent. At a meeting on the central library premises, Adivasi students urged the government to give constitutional recognition to the indigenous people. They demanded formation of a separate land commission and a separate ministry for indigenous peoples to deal with their problems. Prof Dulal Chandra Biswas was present at the meeting as the main speaker. ASARU met RU acting vice chancellor Prof Manunul Keramat at his office and submitted a memorandum with 12-point demand including more quota for indigenous students at RU. ASARU leaders called upon the government to enact laws to protect rights of the indigenous people and their traditional culture and language. At a discussion and cultural programme at Rajshahi Shishu Academy auditorium, indigenous leaders demanded ensuring democratic, social, economic and cultural rights for indigenous people and ethnic minorities. Our Tangail Correspondent reports: Indigenous people at a discussion at Bhasani Hall in Tangail town yesterday reiterated the demand for ensuring their land rights and protecting their culture. Earlier about one thousand indigenous people including Garo (Mandi) and Koach people of Modhupur, Sakhipur and Ghatail upazilas brought out a colourful procession in the town. Indigenous leaders at a discussion at Mymensingh town yesterday said the government should take proper steps to protect the rights of the indigenous people. Tribal Welfare Association, Karitas and Bangladesh Garo Chhatra Sangathan jointly organized the programme . Our Khagrachhari correspondent reports: Speakers in a discussion yesterday demanded constitutional recognition to the indigenous people of the country. Facing discrimination both from outsiders and by administration, indigenous people are loosing lands, orchard and properties, they said at a discussion organized by 'Adhivashi Dibas Udjapon Committee' at Tribal Cultural Institute to mark the International Indigenous Peoples Day. Nomita Chakma, chairperson of NGO Pajuriko presided over the discussion while Khagrachhari Hill District Council Chairman Monindra Lal Tripura was present as chief guest. Speakers suggested establishment of tribal cultural institutes, appointment of indigenous language-speaking teachers in primary schools to ensure schooling based on mother tongue, introducing teachers training on indigenous languages in Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban. They urged ensuring indigenous women's equal rights to property. In Rangamati, different local non-government organisations (NGOs) yesterday arranged different programmes to observe the International Day of the World's Indigenous People. Indigenous people from far flung areas gathered on the premises of Hill District council in the morning and held a meeting where speakers urged the government to ensure constitutional recognition to the indigenous people.
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