World Indigenous Day observed: Constitutional recognition , rights to their culture demanded

Barguna Correspondent :
World Indigenous Day was observed on Saturday by the members of indigenous Rakhain people of Kalapara under Patuakhali and Taltali of Barguna districts with the assistances of Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP) of Caritas with the theme “bridging the gap: implementing the rights of indigenous people” .
Discussion meeting, procession and rallies were held with different types of musical instruments, motifs of indigenous tradition and cultural function included in the programme.
The discussion at Latachapli Union Parishad of Kalapara was presided over by Uthansin, while the programme at Taltali at Rakhain Community Center was presided over by Mongtohan, senior community leaders.
Thakurgaon Correspondent reports: NGO Echo Social Development Organisation (ESDO) Pirganj unit under the project of ‘Promotion of rights for ethnic minority and Dalit improvement programme’ (PREMDIP) with the help of HEKS Switzerland organised different programmes marking World Indigenous Day with demand for their constitutional recognition as indigenous people on Saturday .
 A colourful rally was brought out at ESDO Pirganj unit office and ended at upazila auditorium after paraded different main roads of town. A discussion meeting was held at upazila Parishad auditorium with Pirganj Adibashi Unnoyan Forum General Secretary Kanon Kisku in the chair. Where Chairman of the upazila parishad Ziaul Haque Zia present as Chief Guest.
RU Correspondent adds: Indigenous students of Rajshahi University (RU) at a human chain on Saturday demanded their constitutional recognition and ensuring their rights to their mother tongue, culture and land.
They also demanded formation of a separate land commission for them and introduction of primary education in their mother tongue.
They also protested the rape and torture to an indigenous women’s leader at Gomostapur upazilla in Chapainawabganj district on last Monday.