Constitutional recognition of indigenous rights demanded
Staff Correspondent
Speakers at a conference yesterday called for constitutional recognition of the rights of indigenous people as they are being deprived of various facilities.They also criticised the government for avoiding its responsibility towards the indigenous people. "A conspiracy is on to root out the indigenous people. The 45 ethnic groups need a strong national political party to fight for their rights," said Chairman of CHT Regional Council Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma at the inaugural session of the two-day conference in the city. The National Adivasi Coordination Committee (NACC), Bangladesh Adivasi Forum (BAF), Hill Tracts NGO Forum (HTNF) organised the conference on 'Emerging issues of indigenous people in Bangladesh' in association with the Nijera Kori, an NGO. The Minority Rights Group International, London sponsored it. The conference was aimed to reach a consensus on the relationship between indigenous groups and the government and bring the ethnic groups under a network. Raja Devasish Roy, chairperson of the HTNF, said discrimination against the ethnic community are still prevailing in society. Promod Mankin MP, General Secretary of BAF Sanjeeb Drong, Khushi Kabir of Nijera Kori, theatre personality Mamun-ur Rashid and Prof Mesbah Kamal also spoke.
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