Concerted efforts to protect ethnic rights stressed

RAJSHAHI, July 23 (BSS): Some ethnic leaders at a meeting here said fundamental rights particularly the land rights of the plain ethnic communities should be protected collectively.
They viewed the disadvantaged people in the barind tract comprising Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabgonj districts are becoming vulnerable gradually due to various reasons. So, there is no alternative to concerted efforts of all quarters.
Adibashi Sangskritik Unnayan Sangstha (ASUS) organized the "Human Defenders Coordination Meeting" at Safawang Conference hall yesterday discussing ways and means on how to ensure peaceful and smooth existence of the ethnic people.
President of Jatiya Adibashi Parishad (JAP).Rabindra Nath Saren, ASUS Executive Director Raj Kumar Shaon, JAP Rajshahi district unit president Bimal Chandra Rajoad, Adibashi Sammilita Nari Jote President Kolpona Tirki and JAP leaders Nandalal Tudu and Sushen Shayam Duar spoke on the occasion.
They said many of the ethnic people in the region are being repressed and oppressed by their surrounding which is detrimental to their fundamental rights.
The discussants viewed that need-based steps should be taken to protect their land rights as the ethnic community people are facing manifold problems relating to their inherited dwelling house lands and farming lands.
Rabindra Nath Saren raised their land related problems and urged the authorities concerned to solve those as early as possible. He pointed out that the land grabbers are very active in grabbing the lands of the ethnic community taking advantage of their vulnerable condition in the society.
"More than 100 acres of land are on the verge of grabbing only in Godagari Upazila at present. Some places like Nondapur, Adarpara, Golai, Kagthia, Chowduar, Gunigram, Zibanpara and Sagrampara where the happenings of land grabbing are taking place", Rabindra Nath Saren said.
He stressed the need for resolving the existing problems being faced by the plain ethnic communities for sake of ensuring their peaceful living and livelihood condition.