Hill Voice, 8 August 2020, Rajshahi: The Adivasi Chhatra Parishad has demanded constitutional recognition of the indigenous peoples, formation of an independent land commission for the Adivasis in the plains and separate incentives for the Adivasis in the Corona crisis. This human chain program was held at Rajshahi Saheb Bazar Zero Point on 8 August 2020 at 11.00 am.

President of Central Committee of Adivasi Chhatra Parishad Nakul Pahan presided over the event while General Secretary Tarun Munda, Finance Secretary Anil Rabidas and Member Shiuli Nadia Mardi spoke. Bimal Chandra Rajowar, Organizing Secretary of the Central Committee of the Jatiya Adivasi Parishad (JAP), Ganesh Mardi, Assistant General Secretary of JAP, Andreas Biswas, General Secretary of the Rajshahi Metropolitan Committee of JAP, Upen Rabidas, President of the Rajshahi District of the Adivasi Juba Parishad (AJP), Uttam Kumar Mahato, Central Member of AJP also spoke in the programme.

The human chain was also addressed by prominent journalist, columnist and freedom fighter Prashanta Kumar Saha, Rajshahi District President of the 71 Ghatak Dadal Nirmul Committee Shahjahan Ali Barjahan, Rajshahi District President of Bangladesh Rabidas Unnayan Parishad Raghunath Rabidas and others.

Speakers at the human chain called for observance of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9 by the State, constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples, the formation of separate ministries and separate land commissions for the plains indigenous peoples, stopping eviction of indigenous peoples, migration and an end to all forms of torture.

Indigenous students need to be officially provided with the necessary tools to ensure their participation in digital classes. Indigenous students need to be monitored in educational institutions through teachers. Educated unemployed indigenous people need to be guaranteed employment by the government.

Due to the Corona crisis, thousands of indigenous people have lost their jobs in various sectors including garment factories, industries, hotels or restaurants, beauty parlors, building construction works.