Khagrachhari Correspondent :
Leaders of different ethnic forums urged the government to ensure their constitutional recognition as indigenous, to ensure traditional land rights and to preserve their long-time customs and heritages in Chittagong Hill Tracts.
They demanded it from a discussion meeting held at Shaplachattar area in Khagrachhari town on Saturday as a part of marking the International Indigenous Peoples Day with the theme “Bridging the gap: implementing the rights of indigenous peoples”.
Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, Khagrachhari district unit organised a discussion with its district convener Chaithowai Marma in the chair while ex-professor of Khagrachhari Government College Modhumongal Chakma attended the programme as chief guest and Pragyaveer Chakma attended as special guest.
Professor Modhumongal Chakma said the indigenous people were deprived in different ways. They are yet to get their constitutional recognition as indigenous people.
Terming it as shame for hill people he said government should be more liberal, open minded and sympathetic in this regard.
Demanding cancellation of 15th amendment of constitution he said that hill people are identified neither as Bangali nor minor ethnic community.
Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, Khagrachhari district unit convener Chaithowai Marma strongly condemned recent government order that asked concerned administration officials not to attend any programme organised by hill people to mark August 9, the International Indigenous Day.
“We even become surprised when government asked the same official not to donate anything to celebrate the day,” he said adding that they would start strong movement to ensure their identity.
Educationalist Pragyaveer Chakma said government can’t stop their voice in case of their rights. “We just want our constitutional identity, our lands right, our cultural rights to live as Adivshi, he said adding that fight would be continued against government till their demands full-filled,” he further said.
President of Bangladesh Marma Sangathan Aikka Parishad Kongchairi Marma placed some demands including constitutional recognition as indigenous, protection rights of the indigenous people, protection of their inherited land, mother tongue-based education and full implementation of the CHT Peace Accord 1997.
