They also demanded constitutional provisions guaranteeing right to their land, alleging that their lands in different areas of the country are being grabbed by vested quarters and local influentials.

The discussion on “Indigenous people's rights to land and government property and actual wage”, jointly organised by Action Aid Bangladesh, CPD Khulna and a local NGO Pragati Samaj Unnayan Sangstha, was held at Pragati Samaj Unnayan Sangstha auditorium at Shyamnagar. Principal Ashek E Elahi was in the chair.

It was addressed by, among others, Union Parishad Charmin Alamgir Haidar, Iswaripur Foundation's executive director Mahsin Ul Mulk, freedom fighters Abdul Mazid and Sheikh Haroon Ur Rashid, UP member Nurul Islam and journalist Ranajit Barman.

The indigenous people still suffer for discrimination and inequality and they are deprived of actual wage, they said. The Munda and other Adivasi communities in Satkhira are leading a sub-human life as lands of most of them have been grabbed and there are beingx socially discriminated, they said.

The contribution to social development is enormous but they can not enjoy the benefits of development, the speakers said.

'We have to create awareness about our rights”, Sannasi Munda said.

The victims often can not take legal protection because of poverty. As they are minority, influentials often victimise, he said.

Representatives of local government bodies, teachers, journalists, NGO activists, representatives of local elite and member of the indigenous communities took part in the discussion.