Hill Voice, 01 September 2019, Sunday, Sikkim: South Asia Indigenous people conference titled “Study Conference on Shrinking Space in South Asia” was held on 27th to 30th August, 2019 in Gangtok, Sikkim.
Three-day conference is open on 27th August 2019 at 9.00 am with colourful cultural programme, patriotic song, flutes sing, by the Lepcha artist and special ritual puja is perform by their animist priest.
The conference jointly organised by International Indigenous People Movement for Self Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), International League of People Struggle (ILPS) and Affected Citizen of Tista (ACT).
15 participants from India, Bangladesh & Philippines attended the conference. The two delegates from Philippines, namely, Beverly Langid and Loi Manalamsan and two delegates from Bangladesh, namely, Alexander Chakma & Juwel Chakma. Rest of the delegates were from different provinces of India such as Assam (Karbi Aanglong), Manipur, Jharkand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tripura & Sikkim.
The Philippine delegates point out that indigenous people being in the forefront of environmental protection and conservation is confronted by environmental challenges. Kaliwa Dam project dealing with Dumagat of Southern Luzon and the Australian-Canadian mining company. Oceana Gold hitting the Tuwali Ifugao of Nueva Vizcaya among other. They are struggle against such company about 25 year. They also displayed video presentation on affecting such places.
In the 1st day in 2nd ending session have given to Juwel Chakma to deliver a short speech on amount of CHT (BD) issues within 5 minutes. While he reflected on this regard.
The IPMSDL & ILPS & ACT are taken positive agenda on regarding all the issues will be feedback and highlight to the world community. Lastly the organiser have plan to organise another conference will be held in the next year 2020.
