http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/09/13/d40913020228.htm

The Daily Star, Vol. 5 Num 111
Mon. September 13, 2004

Editorial
Rights of indigenous people
It's time we recognised their role in society

Indigenous people protest at quota violation' -- this was the headline
of a small news item in The Daily Star last Sunday. The story was about
hundreds of indigenous people of Bandarban hill district holding a
protest demonstration against government's violation of quota system for
them in appointing primary school teachers. This was just another
glaring example of growing disillusionment among the indigenous people
over their rights, both fundamental and constitutional, being violated
in every sphere of life.
The group that was holding the demonstration in Bandarban demanded
cancellation of the appointments to 103 posts of assistant teachers
where only 15 indigenous candidates were finalised. It, in their eyes,
is gross violation of Hill District Local Government Act 1989 and most
importantly the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord signed in 1997
between the then Awami League government and PCJSS, the representative
body of the indigenous community. If what they are saying is right, then
such discrimination and deprivation can only lead to an atmosphere where
suspicion and anger will further distance them from the mainstream. That
must be avoided.
In fact the dissatisfaction over the slow, at times even
non-implementation of the treaty, prompted the community leaders to vent
their anger in public. Neglecting them or their rights in the society as
common citizens only fuelled the mistrust and suspicion between them and
the majority Bangalees. Concerns were also expressed by various rights
and humanitarian groups many a time in the past about the consequences
of such deprivation faced by the indigenous community. It is high time
the authorities took up the issue more seriously than before and instead
of ignoring them, recognised the indigenous community as a part of our
society. They feel isolated even after so many years of independence.