"When sanctuaries are being established across the world to protect wildlife, Bangladesh government has been conspiring to uproot the indigenous people (Adivashis) from their homes," said Dewan in an exclusive interview with the BDNEWS.

He said, the movement for survival of indigenous community and to establish their rights on land have started; no temptation can misguide the ongoing movement.

He demanded permanent cancellation of land acquiring process for the extension of the cantonment in Ruma.

If the government does not show respect to their demand, they will foil the blue print of uprooting Adivashis from their lands through acquisition of lands for the cantonment, he said.

He said the government acquired over two lakh acres of land of 83 mouzas of Bandarban, Khagrachhari and Rangamati in the name of social afforestation.

Simultaneously, the government acquired 11,500 acres of land for setting up Artillery Training Centre in Bandarban. Now about one lakh ethnic people are feared to be rendered homeless due to extension of cantonment in Ruma.

Goutam Dewan also attended a rally organised by Adivashis at Terenus Hall of Ujani Para in Bandarban on June 7.

A huge number of men and women of indigenous community was present at the rally from Ruma, Pantla, Galanga, Tankabati, Chimbuk and Sengum mouza.

Bandarban district 'Chittagong Hill Tracts Committee to Protect Rights of Forest and Land' president Jumlian Amlai chaired the meeting while General Secretary Sudutt Tanchainga, Adivashi leader Avoy Chakma, Tuku Talukdar, Sagarika Chakma and district Janasanghati Samity Vice President Mong Marma spoke on the occasion.

Goutam Dewan at the rally said that a case would be filed against eviction of people from their own lands in the higher court.

Earlier, he resigned from the Rangamati Hill District Local Government Council Chairman post in 1992 to take part in the movement of establishing people's rights.