Indigenous Day observed with demand for constitutional recognition as 'indigenous peoples'
Police foils Indigenous Day programme in two districts
On
9 August 2012, Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh observed the
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples with the demand for
constitutional recognition as 'indigenous peoples' and amid obstructions
at a few places of the country and non-cooperation from the government.
It is reported that the police foiled indigenous day programme in
Joypurhat and Khagrachari districts. Police beat at least 9 persons in
Joypuhat and among them, 2 injured persons got admitted at hospital in
Joypurhat district.
It
is mentionable that on 11 March 2012, the Local Government and Rural
Development Ministry issued a official circular directing all district
administrations not to cooperate and support to the celebrations of the
indigenous day with a message to the effect that there were no
‘indigenous’ people in the country. Indigenous peoples and civic groups
protested against this government letter and demanded to withdraw it
immediately. More about the government's letter could be read here: http://chtnewsupdate.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/celebration-of-indigenous-day-in.html
In Joypurhat,
the police obstructed indigenous peoples to organise discussion in
Joypurhat district. Joypurhat branch of Jatiya Adivasi Parishad (JAP)
booked Joypurhat District Council auditorium to organise discussion
marking the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. But
police opposed indigenous peoples to organise the discussion while they
gathered at the auditorium at around 10.30 am on 9 August. Police also
obstructed indigenous peoples to bring out procession. At a stage, while
indigenous peoples started procession amid police obstruction, the
police jumped over procession and beat indigenous people with stick and
rifle butt indiscriminately. In this attack, the following persons were
injured-
(1) Harendranath Sing, president of Adivasi Juba Parishad (Indigenous Youth Council);
(2) Lal Mohan Ekya, member of Adivasi Chhatra Parishad (ACP) (Indigenous Student Council);
(3) Kartik Kerketa, convenor of ACP in Joypurhat;
(4) Dulal Mahato, member of ACP in Joypurhat;
(5) Bibhuti Bhushan Mahato, central vice president of ACP;
(6) Paplu Topya, member of ACP in Joypurhat;
(7) Sunda Hembram, member of ACP in Joypurhat;
(8) Paresh Pahan, member of ACP in Joypurhat;
(9) Sourav Kumar Sing, member of ACP in Joypurhat.
 |
| Police attack in Joypurhat. Photo credit: Bivuti Bhuson Mahato |
 |
| Police attack in Joypurhat. Photo credit: Bivuti Bhuson Mahato |
Lal
Mohan Ekya and Harendranath Sing were admitted at Joypurhat hospital.
Harendranath Sing was released after first aid treatment while Lal Mohan
Ekya is under going treatment at the hospital. Lal Mohan Ekya sustained
critical injuries on his hand with rifle butt. Harendranath Sing was
caught by police first and picked up at police jeep. However, after an
hour, he was released.
Failing
to organise programme in Joypurhat town, JAP organised protest meeting
at Khanjanpur mission ground. Presided over by president of Joypurhat
JAP advocate Babul Rabidas, the meeting was addressed by general
secretary of Joypurhat JAP Kamal Minzi, Shyama Charan Sing, Nipun Kurmi,
Rabin Sing, Basanti Murmu, Hari Pahan, Md. Nurul Nabi et al. Speakers
protested against attack on them and obstruction in organising
programme.
In Khagrachari,
at around 10.00 am CHT Chapter of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum
(BIPF) and Marma Oikya Parishad brought out rally from Khagrachari Women
College towards Shapla Sattar in Khagrachari town. The police blocked
the procession while it reached at Rajamoni Para area. Later they
organised procession at old Ramgarh road near Rajyamoni Para in
Khagrachari town. Sadhan Tripura, Prgyabir Chakma, Namita Chakma, Braja
Kishore Roaza, Kongjuri Master and Chaithowai Marma spoke in this
gathering.
On
the other, procession of the Progressive Marma Students Society
proceeding from Golabari towards Khagrachari Women College was also
blocked by police. Protesting to the police obstruction, indigenous
people formed human chain in front of main gate of Women College.
Central convenor of the Progressive Marma Students Society Sathowai
Marma, district convemor Aungshi Prue Marma, Ukya Ching Marma and Mong
Sai Marma delivered speech in the human chain. They demanded to provide
constitution recognition of indigenous peoples, to implement the CHT
Accord fully and to withdraw provision by which indigenous peoples were
mentioned as Bengali. They also protested against police obstruction.
It
is also reported that police refused to allow indigenous people to join
a programme in Mahalchari marking the International Day for the
Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous activists put barricades on the
Khagrachari-Mahalchari road after the police stopped their motorcade in
the morning on 9 August.
Dhaka:
Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum (BIPF) organised public gathering
and cultural programme marking the International Day of the World’s
Indigenous Peoples at Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka. Presided over by
president of BIPF Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, the programme was
inaugurated by chairman of parliamentary standing committee on education
ministry and convenor of parliamentary caucus on indigenous peoples
Rashed Khan Menon MP.
Jyotirindra
Bodhipriya Larma, in his speech, said the ruling quarters would not
recognise the rights of the ‘indigenous’ peoples and urged indigenous
peoples to prepare for a greater struggle to realise the demands. He
added that nobody awards rights to anyone. It must be achieved through
struggle and indigenous peoples must prepare for struggle, he said. He
also said the government was not only depriving the indigenous peoples
but also the working class of their rights. Without a progressive and
democratic government, repression on indigenous peoples and the working
class would not stop. He said the Awami League had accepted the
‘indigenous’ term in their election manifesto but forgot everything
after assuming state power. He said the government seemed to be
undecided about implementation of the CHT Accord of 1997.
The
Workers’ Party of Bangladesh president Rashed Khan Menon MP said a
chance had arrived while bringing about the 15th amendment to the
constitution to correct the mistakes of 1972 by recognising indigenous
peoples in the constitution, but the government missed out on the
opportunity.
Jatiya
Samajtantrik Dal president Hasanul Huq Inu MP demanded amendment to the
articles 6 and 23(A) of the constitution for recognising all indigenous
peoples. He also asked the Election Commission to register the
political parties of indigenous peoples.
Speakers
accused the government of breaching promise and vowed to continue their
movement until their demand for constitutional recognition as
‘indigenous communities’ was accepted.
Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT):
In Rangamati, CHT chapter of BIPF organised discussion and rally with
demand for their constitutional recognition as 'indigenous peoples' at
Rangamati Town Hall in Rangamati district. Renowned educationist Dr
Manik Lal Dewan inaugurated the rally. Ushatan Talukdar, vice president
of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Smahati Samiti (PCJSS), attended as chief
guest at the rally presided over by Prakriti Ranjan Chakma, president of
Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, CHT chapter.
The
leaders of different indigenous communities urged the government to
take steps for ensuring their political, economic and social rights of
indigenous peoples. Criticising the foreign minister for her statement
that there are no indigenous people in Bangladesh, the speakers said the
indigenous peoples in Bangladesh fulfill all criteria, as per ILO
convention, to be regarded as indigenous peoples. They criticised the
present government for failure to fully implement CHT Accord and
solution to land dispute in CHT region. Later a mammoth colourful
procession joined by indigenous people from different far flung areas
paraded main thoroughfares in the town.
In
Bandarban, CHT chapter of BIPF organised discussion and rally at old
Rajbari ground in Bardanban district. Head of Swadhin Bangla Beter Kamal
Lohani was present as chief guest in this programme. The programme was
presided over Chaw Hla Prue Chowdhury and addressed by K S Mong,
Sadhuram Tripura, Zumlian Amali Bawm et al, among others.
In Chittagong:
Chittagong chapter of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples organised public
gathering and rally in Chittagong on the occasion of International Day
of World’s Indigenous Peoples.
The public gathering
was started at 9.30 am with national anthem and colourful indigenous
dances at DC Hills in Chittagong city. General Secretary of Bangladesh
Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad advocate Rana Dasgupta
inaugurated the programme while prof. Hussain Kabir of Chittagong
University was present as chief guest. Presided over by president of
Chittagong chapter of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Mr. Sharat Jyoti
Chakma, the public gathering was addressed by information and publicity
secretary of PCJSS Mangal Kumar Chakma, Shah Alam of CPB, Abu Hanif of
Workers’ Party, Anowarul Kabir of Gono Oikya Committee, women rights
activist Beby Bhattacharya, human righst activist Baching Thowai Marma,
general secretary of Rakhaing Buddhist Welfare Association Mong Hla
Ching Rakhaing, Nizam Uddin et al.
North Bengal:
Jatiya Adivasi Parishad (JAP) organised procession, rally and human
chain in Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna, Noagaon, Joypurhat, Dinajpur and
Thakurgaon, In Thakurgaon district unit of Jatiya Adivasi Parishad
organised discussion programmes marking International Day of the World's
Indigenous Peoples with demand for their constitutional recognition as
indigenous people at Thakurgaon Press Club auditorium in Thakurgaon
district. District unit Pof Jatiya Adivasi Parishad Surjo Mormu presided
over the meeting while advisor of district unit of Jatiya Adivasi
Parishad advocate Imran Hossain Chowdhury attended there as chief guest.
The speakers demanded establishing constitutional rights of indigenous
people and formation of a separate land commission to protect land
rights of the indigenous people living on plan lands. They urged the
government to save the indigenous people from the land grabbers !
and withdraw all false cases against the indigenous people.
Coastal Region:
In Patuakhali, Indigenous Rakhaine people and socio-cultural-human
rights activists organised rally and discussion in Kalapara of
Patuakhali. The community people and cultural and human rights activists
joined the programmes. Language movement veteran Usuey Babu presided
over a view exchange programme at Kalapara Press Club of Patuakhali
which was addressed by Uchao Master, community leader, Myenthen Promila,
executive member, Kapaeeng Foundation, and Nasiruddin Talukdar,
Kalapara CPB president. Speakers at the programmes urged the government
to establish a separate ministry to ensure the ownership and right to
live on their ancestral land for the plain land indigenous people of the
country.
In Barguna, Indigenous
Rakhaine people organised rally and discussion in Taltali upazila of
Barguna. Rakhain community leader Maung-Tahan presided over a discussion
at Taltali Union Parishad office, which was, among others, addressed by
community leaders Maung Thin Jo, Maung Chin Than, Advocate Maung Than,
Chan Maung and Ma Chan Chin, Alamgir Mia, Borgi Union Parishad Chairman,
and Mizanur Rahman and Sanjib Chandra Roy, officials of Caritas ICDP
project. Speakers stressed immediate formation of separate proactive
Land Reform Commission for the plain land indigenous peoples respecting
their traditional land rights and by ensuring the indigenous people’s
active participation and representation. In Cox’s Bazaar, Adivasi
Chhatra Parishad and BIPF organised human chain in front of Cox’s Bazaar
press club in Cox’s Bazaar district.
Greater Mymensingh:
A colourful rally was brought out from Gymnasium near Circuit House
ground in Mymensingh district. The rally was inaugurated by
ex-government official Sudhash Jengcham. In Netrokona, a procession was
organised by greater chapter of BIPF. Presided over by president of
Greater Mymensingh chapter of BIPF Moti Lal Hajong, the event was
addressed by indigenous researcher Rev. Manindranath Marak, Pintu Dio,
Sanat Saha, Niresh Jambali, Nitai Saha, Bishakha Rangsha, Pankaj Marak,
Swapan Hajong et al. In Sherpur, a discussion was organised by Tribal
Welfare Association. Prof. Dr. Sudhamoy Das was present in the programme
as chief guest. In Madhupur, public meeting was held at Adivasi Polli
Jalchatra Footbal ground in Madhupur. Presided over by Jin Nokrek, the
meeting was addressed by chairman of Madhupur upazila parishad Khandakar
Abdul gafur Montu, vice chairman Dr. Mir Forhadul Alam Mo!
ni, indigenous leader Jastina Nokrek, Sulekha Mrong et al, among
others.
Satkhira:
Sundarbon Adibasi Munda Sangastha (SAMS) organised discussion at
Shyamnagar upazila auditorium under Shyamnagar in Satkhira district. UNO
of Shyamnagar was present as a chief guest. Gopal Chandra Munda
(President of SAMS) presided over the discussion while Mr. Shafiul Ajom
Lenin (former chairman- 12 no Gabura Union), Mirza Aminur Islam (Social
Welfare office- Shyamnagar), Abul Kalam Rafikuzzaman (Secondary School
Officer, Shyamnaga), Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam (Health and Family Planning
Officer- Shyamnagar) spoke at this event.
Greater Sylhet: Procession and Rally was organised in Sylhet town, Kulaura and Sreemongal.
-----------------
source: Kapaeeng Foundation.
