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Form land commission for indigenous people

Speakers urge govt

Staff Correspondent
Speakers at a discussion yesterday demanded the government give constitutional recognition to the indigenous people as well as form a separate land commission for those of the plain lands.
They (indigenous people) have been living in the country from time immemorial. But they are the victims of severe deprivation, they said, adding that the government should recognise them constitutionally with an aim to minimise those deprivation.
The speakers placed the demand at the discussion on 'Demand for a separate land commission for the plain-land indigenous people: Review of the struggle of Alfred Soren' jointly organised by Research and Development Collective (RDC) and Oxfam at the National Press Club in the city.
Speaking as the chief guest, Justice Ghulam Rabbani emphasised the importance of establishing an indigenous cultural academy for creating an opportunity for the indigenous people to practise their cultures.
“Bangladesh is an multiracial country. People of different races and communities have been living here since the historical era with harmony. So, the indigenous people should be recognised constitutionally,” he said.
About formation of a separate commission for the plain-land indigenous people, he said, “It is their logical demand. They have been demanding ownership of their lands since the British colonial era. But the colonial rulers, later all the rulers and governments did never pay heed to their demand."
Hailing the government for taking some effective steps to preserve rights of the indigenous people, he said, “I hope the government would form a separate land commission for the indigenous people as per its election pledges."
Addressing the meeting, Shawkat Momen Shahjahan, president of the parliamentary standing committee on agriculture ministry, admitted that some lands of indigenous are being occupied illegally by the Bangalees.
He also assured the indigenous people of taking neces-
sary steps for halting encroachment on the lands and working for the formation of a separate land commission.
ZI Khan Panna, chairman of Human Rights and Legal Aid Committee of Bangladesh Bar Council, opined for formulation of policies for purchasing, selling and handing over the lands to the indigenous people.
Presenting a keynote paper, Sree Everest Hembrom, member of Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolon, placed some demands, including introduction of interest-free loan for them, reservation of 10 percent seats for indigenous students in higher education institutions and 10 percent quota in government jobs, recruitment of indigenous teachers in the schools of indigenous areas.
RDC General Secretary Prof Mesbah Kamal presided over the discussion where Sree Romesh Kumar Koch, chairman of Bangladesh Koch Adivasi Sangathan, Ajoy A Mree, president of Jayenshahi Adivasi Unnayan Parishad. also spoke.