Rakhains demand constitutional recognition as indigenous

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BARISAL, Mar 19 (UNB): A human chain was formed and rallies were held in Patuakhali and Barguna districts Saturday morning demanding constitutional recognition for Rakhains as indigenous people, not as 'ethnic minority groups' and end to discriminations against indigenous people including land reform. The programmes were organised at 11:00am in front of Kalapara Buddha Bihar in Kalapara Upazila town in Patuakhali and at 11:30am on Taltali-Khepupara road in Taltalii Upazila town in Barguna district by Kalapara and Taltali branches of Rakhain Samaj Kalyan Samity, Bangladesh Adibasi Forum and Bangladesh Rakhain Students Association. The human chain and rally were addressed by indigenous leaders and human rights activists in Patuakhali and Barguna districts, including Usu Ae, Myenthen Promila, Mong Khen La and Kheng Ang Zo. Speakers at the rally and the human chain demanded recognition as indigenous (Adibashi), not as the ethnic minority group (Khudro Nri-tattwik Jonogosthi) for Rakhains and an end to discriminations against the indigenous, including in the on-going land reform. They condemned the comments of Suranjit Sengupta, co-chairman of committee on constitutional amendment at the media center of the Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) after the 10th meeting of the committee Tuesday (Mar 15).