Indigenous people demand steps to protect rights Indigenous people have demanded a separate land commission and enactment of laws to protect their traditional culture and language, and constitutional rights. Speakers at a discussion at Kakonhat municipality playground in Rajshahi district yesterday demanded punishment to the land grabbers who evicted 74 indigenous families at Khatirpur under Porsha upazila of Naogaon district on June 13, reports our RU correspondent. Adivashi Sangskritik Unnayan Sangstha (ASUS) organised the discussion as part of their daylong programme marking the 154th anniversary of Santal Hul (revolution). Indigenous people brought out a procession in Narail town yesterday demanding action against of Saif Hafiz Khokon who is allegedly grabbing their dwelling places with the help of fake documents, reports a correspondent from Narail. Foundation for Women and Child Assistance (FWCA), a Rajshahi-based NGO, also demanded punishment to the perpetrators of the attack and arson incidents at 74 indigenous households in Porsha of Naogaon, reports our staff correspondent from Rajshahi. A FWCA team visited Khatirpur Sonadanga village in Porsha and distributed cloths for the women and children of the affected families who are still staying under the open sky. Colourful rally, discussion, archery, cultural programmes including traditional Santal dance and drama marked the daylong programme organised by Adivashi Sangskritik Unnayan Sangstha (ASUS) at Kakonhat municipality playground yesterday. The programme began with offerings of wreaths to the idols of Sidhu and Kanu, the two brothers who spearheaded the Santal Hul. The 1855-57 Santal Hul, one of the major revolts against the British rule, was directed against the influential people including landlords, usurers and administrative and police officials who made the life of the innocent Santals miserable. At the discussion at Kakonhat municipality playground, speakers urged the government to observe the day at state level and to ensure the rights of indigenous people to their land and language. They recalled the sacrifices and role of indigenous people during the Liberation War in 1971. Speakers demanded punishment of the land grabbers who evicted 74 indigenous families at Khatirpur under Porsha upazila of Naogaon district on June 13 and immediate steps for rehabilitation of the evicted families. Rajshahi-1 lawmaker Omar Faruque Chowdhury was present as the chief guest with ASUS Executive Director Rajkumar Shaw in the chair. Jatiya Adivashi Parishad President Anil Marandi, Godagari upazila Chairman AKM Ataur Rahman Khan, Sangkalpa Executive Director Everest Hembram, Jatiya Adivasi Parishad Rajshashi district unit President Bimol Chandra addressed the discussion, among others.

NepalRev.Jang, 2009-06-30 23:16, Hit : 762

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