Recognise us as FFs
Indigenous people who took part in the War of Liberation urge govt
Staff Correspondent
Speakers at a seminar yesterday said the indigenous people who took part in the War of Liberation have not yet any recognition from the government as freedom fighters. They said indigenous people have been facing gross human rights violations land grabbing and creation of eco-parks posing threat to their habitats. Besides, filing of false cases, harassment and threat to their lives are common, they added. The speakers demanded cancellation of the Modhupur Eco-park project and return of the land to Khasiyas in Sylhet. They also called for meeting the demands of indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Presenting the keynote paper, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Forum for the Indigenous People, Sanjeeb Drong said, "Even after 33 years of independence, the government has not yet recognised the role of the indigenous people in the War of Liberation." The Forum organised the seminar with Shaktipada Tripura, organising secretary of the Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity in the chair at the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) office. Sanjeeb demanded constitutional recognition of the indigenous people. He also urged the government to take steps to rehabilitate the freedom fighters belonging to the indigenous people and their families.
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