25 April 2003
Staff correspondent
Recognising the constitutional rights of indigenous people, aborigine leaders
and civil society representatives yesterday demanded the inclusion of separate
clauses in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).
At a discussion on 'National Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper and indigenous people of Bangladesh' they also demanded active participation of indigenous people in the hilly areas regarding the clause in PRSP.
"There is no specific reflection of the tribes' problems or their solutions
in the government prepared draft of the PRSP. Neither did the government take
these people's opinion before preparing the draft" said Jotirindro Bodhipriya
Larma (Santu Larma), chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council and
president of Adhibashi Forum, at the discussion.
He said the tribal people are the most deprived and the poorest in the country.
If there is no clause about these people how would the PRSP help alleviate poverty
of the hilly people?" he said.
Santu Larma said the CHT peace treaty is not being implemented and the people
are not getting any results.
Speaking at the discussion organised by Adhibashi Forum and OXFAM, GB, Bangladesh, Sanjeeb Drang, general secretary of the Forum said the people of the 45 tribal communities were in danger.
In many areas, a vested sector is taking away the lands, forests and houses
of these people by force, he said.
Recognising their constitutional and self-governance rights could alleviate poverty and development could be achieved in the area, Sanjeeb added.
Among others political leaders Pankaj Bhattachariya, Haider Akbar Khan Rono,
Chief of Chakma circle Raja Debasheesh Roy, CHTRC members Rupayan Dewan and
KS Mong, Dr Sadeka Halim of Dhaka University and Prof. Prashanta Tripura of
Jahangir Nagar University spoke at the discussion.