Michael Nongrum, Juri (Moulvibazar):

International Indigenous Peoples Day was celebrated in a festive atmosphere on Sunday in Barlekha by various Indigenous communities living in the hills and plains of Barlekha and Juri upazilas of Moulvibazar. The day was marked by a colourful rally, discussion meeting, cultural programme and various other events.

On the occasion, a rally began at 11:00am from the premises of the District Council Auditorium. It paraded through the main streets of the town and ended at the Upazila Dak Bungalow.

Earlier, the programme was inaugurated by raising the national flag following the national anthem. Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Barlekha Upazila, Naima Nadia, formally inaugurated the event.

The programmes were jointly organised by the Moulvibazar District Branch of the Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum, Barlekha Indigenous Peoples Development Forum, and the Barlekha Branch of the KUBORAJ Inter-Panjee Development Organisation.

At the discussion meeting, representatives of the Indigenous Peoples Forum placed 14 demands before the government. Their demands included constitutional recognition of Indigenous peoples, formation of a separate Land Commission for Indigenous communities living in the plains.

The discussion meeting was chaired by Narayan Kurmi, president of the Barlekha Indigenous Peoples Development Forum. Former vice-president of the University Tea Students' Council Ripon Kurmi and convener of the Barlekha Indigenous Youth Forum Jasinta Sumer jointly moderated the event. Nasir Uddin Ahmed Mithu, Member of Parliament from the Moulvibazar-1 constituency, attended the programme as the chief guest. Expressing solidarity with the various demands of the Indigenous communities, he assured the gathering that several of the demands would be implemented promptly.

Among others, Barlekha Police Station OC Md. Moniruzzaman Khan, former convener of Barlekha Upazila BNP and Barni Union Parishad Chairman Zainal Abedin, senior vice-president of Juri Upazila BNP and Goalbari Union Parishad Chairman Md. Abdul Kayum, MP's wife Fouzia Ahmed, MP's daughter Fatema Binte Ahmed Sanjida, Barlekha Press Club General Secretary Abdur Rob, Juri Press Club General Secretary Saiful Islam Sumon, Central Vice-President of the Indigenous Youth Forum Tamlimon Bareh, central member of BAPA Father Joseph Gomes, and General Secretary of the Barlekha Branch of the KUBORAJ Inter-Panjee Development Organisation Elias Bareh, among others, spoke at the programme.