http://www.thedailystar.net/2003/09/06/d3090601077.htm
Daily Star, Sat. September 06, 2003
Staff Correspondent
Speakers at a rally organised by Bangladesh Indigenous People's Forum in the city yesterday demanded of the government to scrap the National Park Project in Modhupur, saying it will imperil the life of indigenous people.
They also demanded exemplary punishment of those involved in the attack on indigenous people in Mahalchhari of Khagrachhari recently.
Addressing the rally held at the Central Shaheed Minar, Barrister Debashish
Roy, king of the Chakma circle, said the park project should not be implemented
without prior consultation with the local indigenous people. This could lead
to mass resentment and deterioration of law and order in the area, he feared.
Demanding cancellation of the project, the Chakma king said, "This kind
of so-called development project will not bring any positive change in the life
of the indigenous people of Modhupur."
Referring to the Mahalchhari incident, Debashish said the authorities must ensure security of the indigenous people but they failed to do so in Mahalchhari.
Gano Forum leader Pankaj Bharttacharya said indigenous people are repressed not only in the hilly region but also in other areas of the country.
He alleged that in the name of development activities, the indigenous people
are being pushed towards extinction.
About the Modhupur project, Pankaj said it is an unproductive one and it should
be cancelled because it will not bring any good to the people of the area.
He blamed the authorities for failing to prevent the Mahalchhari incident and
demanded punishment of those involved.
Prof. Sadeqa Halim of Dhaka University said it seems eviction of indigenous people has increased after the liberation.
The rally was also addressed by President of the Indigenous People's Forum Sanjib
Drong, Senior Vice-president Albert Mankin and Rabindranath Soren.