Speakers at a discussion yesterday paid tributes to Manabendra Narayan Larma, a veteran tribal leader popularly known as MN Larma.

They also called for constitutional recognition of hill people and said it is the time to have this recognition.

The discussion was organised by Bangladesh Adibashi Forum and Bangladesh Adibashi Adhikar at the National Press Club in the city on the occasion of the 23rd death anniversary of MN Larma.

The speakers said MN Larma was the pioneer of Jhoom nationalism.

The Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Agreement was his brainchild, they added.

MN Larma dreamt a new lifestyle for hill people based on changed reality, said Jyotirindra Bodhipriyo Larma, alias Shantu Larma, chairman of Regional Council for Chittagong Hill Tracts.

If MN Larma were alive, things would have been different in the hills, Shantu added.

Communist Party of Bangladesh President Manjurul Ahsan Khan said the fate of tribal people will not change unless their exploitations end.

Workers' Party President Rashed Khan Menon criticised both Awami League and BNP governments for not implementing the peace agreement.

JSD President Hasanul Haq Inu, Gono Forum leader Pankaj Bhattacharya, Ajoy Roy, Sanjib Drong, Rabindranath Soren, Nirmal Chakrabarty and Golam Mortaza also spoke.