Jul 11, 2011

Chittagong Hill Tracts: Leaders Call for Indigenous Rights Protection


Members of the PCJSS encourage Bangladeshi government to recognize indigenous people’s distinct identities and take initiatives to establish lasting peace in the region.

Below is an article published by The Daily Star:

The reformist group of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) yesterday [insert date] called upon all regional political parties for a united movement to ensure rights of indigenous peoples of Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The reformist leaders made the call, aiming especially at PCJSS chief Santu Larma and United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), from a meeting at Dighinala Degree College ground of Dighinala upazila.

Profulla Kumar Chakma, organising secretary of PCJSS (reformist group), Khagrachhari district unit, presided over the programme. PCJSS Co-chairman Sudha Sindhu Khisha attended it as the chief guest.

The speakers also protested imposition of Bangalee nationalism on the indigenous communities and demanded annulment of the 15th amendment to the constitution.

They urged the government to consider their rights to uphold their own culture and tradition, stressing the fact that they are Bangladeshis, but not Bangalees.

The indigenous people are determined to protect their respective identities and rights, said the speakers.

The Adivasi leaders also urged the government to fully implement the CHT peace accord and take proper initiative to solve land disputes for establishing peace in the hilly region.

PCJSS central committee General Secretary Tatindra Lal Chakma, Dighinala Upazila Parishad Chairman Dharmabir Chakma, and General Secretary of Central Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) Kheluaung Marma also spoke.