Nachole grabbers eye land of 17 indigenous families

The Daily Star, Dhaka, 23 June 2009

Nachole grabbers eye land of 17 indigenous families

Our Correspondent, Chapainawabganj

Indigenous people yesterday formed human chain and held rally in Nachole Bus stand area demanding punishment to the hired goons of the land grabbers who tried to occupy land of 17 indigenous families at Dulahar village in Nachole upazila of the district on Thursday.

The attackers seriously injured two indigenous women and threatened with dire consequences if the 17 indigenous families did not vacate the khas land, the indigenous leaders said at the rally organised by Nachole Adivasi Adhiker Kendra and residents of Dulahar village.

Meanwhile, police arrested two persons in connection with Thursday's attack on indigenous people.

Belasius Murmu, president of Nachole Adivasi Academy, Hingu Murmu, president of Uttar Banga Adivasi Forum, Bisut Moni Toppo, central leader of Jatiya Adivasi Parishad, Prohlad Mahdi, member of upazila Adivasi Samannay Parishad, spoke at yesterday's rally.

They demanded security of the local indigenous people.

Earlier on Sunday, indigenous people observed protest programmes in Rajshahi, Naogaon and Magura demanding punishment to the perpetrators who evicted 74 indigenous families from their lands at Khatirpur under Porsha upazila of Naogaon district on June 13.

They also demanded immediate steps for rehabilitation of the evicted families.

Indigenous leaders had also urged the government to form a separate land commission for indigenous communities and ensure their constitutional rights.