Economists and rights activists at a seminar yesterday urged the government to protect land rights of marginalised communities in the country, particularly the poor and ethnic minorities, to help them live a dignified life.

They suggested that the authorities take strict measures against illegal land grabbing from the communities, and allow landless and poor farmers use government khas land.

Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD), a non-government organisation, arranged the seminar on the occasion of unveiling a book titled “Bangladesh Land Status Report 2017”, at Cirdap auditorium in the capital.

A total of 12 authors contributed to the book on land-grabbing and sufferings of landless people. It is edited by noted economist Prof Abul Barkat. Speaking about the book, Prof Barkat said lands of ethnic minority communities are being forcibly grabbed by powerful and influential people across the country. They also occupy government khas lands or take lease using their power.

“It has to be stopped if we want to ensure land rights for all,” he added.

Ainoon Naher, a professor of anthropology at Jahangirnagar University, said there are several gaps in the existing land laws and policies which have to be amended as soon as possible to protect the rights of the disadvantaged.

“People are owners of land, not the state. The government is only taking care of these, which is its responsibility,” she added.

Shafique uz Zaman, chairman of economics department at Dhaka University, said poor farmers and ethnic minority communities take better care of land as their livelihood depends on those. Therefore, they deserve to be allowed to use the khas land, he added.

Prof Shafique also suggested developing industries which are based on agriculture, as it is still the backbone of the country’s economy.

Speaking as chief guest, Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury said they are going to introduce an online-based automation for land registry and mapping to curb corruption in this sector.

He also said the ministry will soon publish circulars in the media on a regular basis, to recover khas land from illegal occupation.

Noted rights activist Khushi Kabir, also chairperson of ALRD; Abdul Haque, an additional secretary of land ministry; and Shamsul Huda, executive director of ALRD, also spoke at the programme.