Land commission for plainland indigenous people demanded

Most indigenous people are facing violation of their land rights, speakers said at a day-long programme yesterday marking the 161st Anniversary of the Santal Revolution in

Santal village under Juri upazila of Moulvibazar. 

They also demanded establishment of a separate land commission for them.

Santal Somaj Kalyan Sangstha, a platform of Santal people, organised the programme. Kishore Chodhury Moni, vice chairman of Juri upazila, was present as chief guest.

Adviser Sukram Santal and president Kaliproshad Santal of the sangstha took part in the discussion, while Humayun Kabir, manager of Sunarupa Tea Garden, chaired the meeting.

Indigenous community leaders said they had long been subjected to violation of their human rights. They said they were still being uprooted from their own land by other people.

Kaliproshad Santal said Santal children face discrimination in educational institutions, particularly in primary and high schools, and alleged that many of them leave Bangalee schools as they do not get opportunities equal to Bangalees.

Budhlal Santal, advisor of the sangstha, called upon the government to enact laws to protect rights of the indigenous people and their traditional culture, land and language.