The New Age, 28 January 2004
http://www.newagebd.com/front.html#8
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Leader of the opposition in parliament Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday extended
her party's support to the seven-point demand of the adivasi Garo
community of Madhupur who have been agitating for immediate stoppage of
construction work to implement an eco-park project in Madhupur, Tangail.
Incidentally, it was Hasina's government that had initiated the
eco-park project.
"I agree with all of your demands and my party will continue giving
support to your movement," said Hasina while addressing a group of
Garos.
Several Garos including family members of the victims of the shooting
incident on January 3 in Madhupur forest met Hasina at the Awami
League's Dhanmondi office.
Piren Slan, 20, was killed on January 3 and about 20 were wounded
when the police and forest rangers opened fire on a procession brought
out against construction of a wall of the proposed eco-park in the
locality.
The Awami League president demanded exemplary punishment for the
killers and gave money to the family members of Piren.
Opposing the construction of walls around the 3000-acre project,
Hasina asked the government to make changes in the project taken up by
the previous Awami League government.
"We believe that the wall cannot protect the forest, other than
raising awareness among local people through social movement."
She, however, said the government may go ahead with this project
after ensuring the Garos' ownership of land and creating an atmosphere
favourable to maintaining their socio-economic culture.
"There should be no coercion, and the government should hold a series
of talks with the adivasi people and negotiate with them if the
government wants to implement this project."
Albert Mankin, a local leader of adivasis, read out their seven-point
demand which includes immediate cancellation of the project.
The demands also include punishment of the killers Piren Slan, a
'settled compensation' for the family of Piren, who is survived by his
aged parents, wife and two minor children.
He said the eco-park on 3,000 acres of forest land would destroy
bio-diversity and cause serious inconvenience to around 20 thousand
adivasi and non-adivasi people.