Leaders of the indigenous people yesterday demanded formation of a separate land commission for the plain land indigenous people of the country to protect their land rights and defend their interests.

They were speaking at an Adivasi Sanskritik Utshab in Muroi punjee area in Kulaura upazila town of the district, marking the upcoming World Indigenous Day on August 9.

Human rights defenders and indigenous people's development services organised cultural functions and discussions on the rights and problems of indigenous people.

Silvester Pathang, local union parishad member and chair of the programme, said

the land commission for plain land adivasis should comprise members of the communities. He demanded a national policy for all indigenous communities and a separate ministry for the indigenous people of the plain lands.

Journalist Saleh Elahi Kuti, in his speech as the chief guest said, “We should learn more about the land issue to solve some of the problems. It is an issue for the higher authorities to settle."

Joyanto Raksham, human resource officer of indigenous people's development services, said there should be a law banning transfer of land from indigenous people to non-indigenous people.

The programme was conducted by HiramonTalang.